-  - 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


i 


GIFT  OF 

MABEL  R.   GTXLIS 


BY  THE   SAME   AUTHOR. 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  NEW  YORK. 

HANNAH  ANN  :   A  SEQUEL. 

A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  BOSTON. 

A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  PHILADELPHIA. 

A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 


SHERBURNE  STORIES. 

SHERBURNE   HOUSE. 

LYNDELL  SHERBURNE. 

SHERBURNE    COUSINS. 

A   SHERBURNE   ROMANCE. 

THE   MISTRESS   OF  SHERBURNE. 

THE  CHILDREN  AT  SHERBURNE  HOUSE. 

SHERBURNE  GIRLS. 

THE  HEIR  OF  SHERBURNE. 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN 

OLD  WASHINGTON 


BY 

AMANDA  M.   DOUGLAS 

AUTHOR  OF  "  A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  NEW  YORK, 
"SHERBURNE  STORIES,"  ETC.,   ETC. 


NEW  YORK 

DODD,   MEAD  AND  COMPANY 
1900 


COPYRIGHT,  igoo, 

BY 
DODD,  MEAD  AND  COMPANY. 


THE  MERSHON  COMPANY  PRESS, 
RAHWAY,  N.  J. 


JAQUELINE   BAKER   BEALL : 

To  you,  whose  ancestors  made  worthy  efforts  in 
the  earlier  history  of  the  South,  and  lived  romances, 
this  little  story  is  affectionately  inscribed. 

AMANDA  M.  DOUGLAS. 
NEWARK,  N.  J. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.  A  NEW  HOME,    .        .        .        .        .        .        .        .  r 

II.  THE  PINERIES, 15 

III.  APPLES  OF  DISCORD, 28 

IV.  A  NEW  PRESIDENT, 42 

V.  ROGER  CARRINGTON,   . 56 

VI.  A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE, «  70 

VII.  THE  BEGINNING  OF  A  LOVE  STORY,          ...  85 

VIII.  AN  ANGRY  FATHER, 99 

IX.  THE  WEAKER  VESSEL,        .        .        ...        .        .116 

X.  A  CHRISTMAS  AUGURY,           .        .        .    "    .        .  130 

XI.  THE  THORNS  THAT  BESET  LOVE,      .        .        .        .  148 

XII.  A  TALK  OF  WEDDINGS,          .        .        .        .  161 

XIII.  LOVERS  AND  LOVERS,          .        .        .        .        .        .  175 

XIV.  JAQUELINE, 191 

XV.  A  SMALL  HERO, 207 

XVI.  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON,     .        .        .....        »  219 

XVII.  THE  FLAG  OF  VICTORY,     .        .        .        .        .        .  240 

XVIII.  OF  MANY  THINGS,          .        .        .                         .  253 

XIX.  IN  THE  MIDST  OF  WAR,     .        .        .        .        .        .  265 

XX.  THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW,        .        .        .        .  283 

XXI.  ANNIS,          .        .        .       ".        .        .        .        .        .  298 

vii 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 


CHAPTER  I. 

A  NEW   HOME. 

•'<DUT  you  will  have  to  take  sides,"  declared  Jaqueline 
^  Mason,  "  and  it  would  be  ungrateful  if  you  did  not 
take  our  side.  You  are  going  to  live  here ;  you  really  be 
long  to  us,  you  know.  Your  mother  was  own  cousin  to 
our  dear  mother,  and  Patty  was  named  after  her " 

"  I  don't  see  why  I  should  be  called  Patty  when  you've 
given  up  Jack  and  make  such  a  fuss !  "  interrupted  a  slim, 
unformed  girl,  who  was  nearly  as  tall  as  the  first  speaker. 

"  Well,  Miss  Patty,  I  am  sixteen  and  in  long  gowns ; 
and  next  winter  I  expect  to  go  to  balls  and  parties,  and 
be  presented  at  the  White  House.  Oh,  I  wish  it  was  a 
court ! " 

A  young  fellow,  astride  the  low  window  seat,  laughed 
with  a  teasing,  bantering  sound  in  his  voice,  and  his  deep 
eyes  were  alight  with  mirth. 

"  You  think  you  are  a  great  patriot,  Jacky,  but  you 
hanker  after  the  fleshpots  of  Egypt  and  royalty,  when  we 
have  fought  for  our  freedom  and  gained  our  indepen 
dence  and  set  a  noble  example  to  the  downtrodden  na 
tions  of  Europe.  Sighing  for  a  king  and  a  court !  " 

"  I'm  not  sighing.  One  can  think  of  a  thing  without 
wishing  it " 

"  And  he  called  you  Jacky !  "  cried  Patty,  with  a  certain 
triumph  ringing  in  her  tone. 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Father  said  you  were  not  to."  Jaqueline  Mason 
raised  her  head  with  dignity.  "  I  used  to  think  it  rather 
funny  when  I  was  romping  round,  and  it  teased  Aunt 
Catharine ;  but  I  hate  it  now,  and  I've  given  up  romping. 
There  is  a  great  difference." 

"  And  Cousin  Annis  is  eager  to  hear  about  her  side. 
You  hardly  know  which  side  you  are  on  yourself." 

She  gave  him  a  withering  look,  and  turned  to  the  little 
girl  who  stood  in  a  shrinking  attitude,  and  whose  eyes 
had  a  certain  lustrousness,  as  if  tears  were  in  their  limpid 
depths. 

"  I  wish  you  wouldn't  interrupt,  Louis  Mason !  I  am 
trying  to  explain.  Grandfather  Floyd  isn't  our  very  own 
grandfather — he  married  grandmother — and  he  believes 
we  shouldn't  really  have  separated  from  England,  or  at 
least  we  should  have  modeled  our  government  upon  hers 
and  had  a  king.  He  thought  Washington  ought  to  have 
stood  up  for  some  grandeur  and  state,  and  he  is  afraid 
now  we  shall  all  go  to  ruin.  He  never  did  like  President 
Jefferson.  But  you  are  too  little  to  understand  politics, 
Annis,  and  I  was  going  to  explain — father  and  Aunt 
Catharine  are  own  brother  and  sister ;  then  there  are  five 
Floyd  children,  uncle  and  aunt's  too.  You  really  are  not 
related  to  them.  You  are  on  our  mother's  side." 

"  Jaqueline,  you  will  be  qualified  to  write  the  genealogy 
of  Virginia,"  and  Louis  laughed  mockingly. 

The  girl  colored  with  vexation.  "  Well,  everybody 
is  married  to  almost  everybody  else ;  and  now  your  mother 
has  married  our  father,  and  that  in  a  way  makes  us 
sisters." 

The  little  girl  standing  by  the  window,  where  the  sun 
shine  sifted  flecks  of  gold  through  the  green  clustering 
vines,  looked  up  wistfully.  She  had  wished  out  in  Ken 
tucky  that  she  had  a  sister,  and  now  that  three  had  wel 
comed  her  and  taken  possession  of  her,  she  was  not  sure 


A   NEW   HOME. 

that  she  wanted  sisters.  She  had  slept  with  Varina,  who 
was  about  her  own  age,  but  who  had  not  taken  to  her 
very  cordially.  There  was  a  still  younger  child,  a  boy, 
curled  upon  the  next  window  ledge,  poring  over  an  old 
copy  of  Froissart,  dog-eared  and  well  worn.  Varina  was 
petting  two  doves,  who  arched  their  necks  and  strutted 
about. 

"  Yes,  people  get  queerly  married,  up  or  down  or  cross 
wise.  I  mean  to  marry  someone  quite  new  and  strange. 
But  we  were  glad  that  father  chose  a  cousin  of  our  own 
dear  mother's,  and  I  am  sure  we  shall  all  like  her.  What 
do  you  suppose  they  are  about!  Why  don't  they  come 
to  breakfast  ?  " 

This  was  the  great  dining  room.  Four  windows  faced 
the  east,  two  the  south,  shaded  by  the  wide  porch  roof 
and  the  vines.  There  was  a  massive  sideboard  and  a 
china  closet  with  glass  doors,  wherein  were  many  family 
heirlooms.  The  antlers  and  head  of  a  great  buck  were 
suspended  over  the  mantel,  which  was  graced  by  a  pair  of 
silver  candlesticks  with  several  branches  and  a  snuffers 
and  tray.  There  was  a  large,  roomy  sofa  and  some  high- 
backed  chairs,  quite  stiff  enough  for  the  dames  of  early 
eighteen  hundred.  The  floor  was  bare,  but  laid  with 
various-colored  woods.  It  had  a  hospitable  air,  al 
together,  in  spite  of  its  massive  furnishing.  The  table 
was  set  for  breakfast,  and  a  tall  silver  coffee  urn  graced 
one  end  of  it. 

There  was  a  stir  in  the  hall,  and  the  sound  of  servants' 
voices  mingling  with  a  mellow  masculine  greeting.  The 
little  girl  made  a  rush  for  her  own  dear  mother,  and  ran 
into  Chloe,  but  her  new  father  rescued  her  from  harm, 
since  the  woman  was  carrying  a  dish  of  savory  fried  fish, 
followed  by  other  servants  with  numerous  viands. 

He  lifted  her  in  his  arms  and  kissed  her,  and  her 
mother  bent  over  to  give  her  another  caress.  Then 

3 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

he  stood  her  down,  and  she  almost  buried  her  face  in  her 
mother's  gown  and  impeded  her  progress. 

"  Well,  chicken,"  and  the  round,  cheery  voice  sounded 
as  if  a  laugh  was  at  the  back  of  it,  ready  for  the  slightest 
provocation,  "  how  does  it  seem  with  all  these  brothers 
and  sisters?  For  that's  what  you  are  to  be.  Children, 
here  is  your  new  mother,  by  daylight.  Take  a  good  look 
at  her  and  love  her,  though  she  will  be  more  like  a  big 
sister  than  a  mother.  I  could  have  been  her  father.  For 
when  I  first  saw  her  she  was  no  older  than  you,  Patty." 

The  children  thronged  about  her.  Second  marriages 
were  quite  common  occurrences,  and  the  children  of  those 
days  were  expected  to  accept  and  make  the  best  of  them. 
Miss  Catharine  Mason  had  taken  excellent  care  of  her 
brother's  household,  and  now  gone  to  Williamsburg  to 
take  charge  of  the  Rev.  William  Conway's  rectory  and 
be  a  mother  to  the  three  children.  There  had  been  a  gov 
erness,  a  certain  Miss  Betts,  from  farther  North,  who 
somehow  could  not  easily  adapt  herself  to  Southern  ways, 
and  a  rather  turbulent  household.  There  had  been  numer 
ous  complaints,  and  at  the  summer  vacation  she  had  re 
signed.  Miss  Jaqueline  had  in  a  measure  taken  the  head 
of  the  house,  with  Maum  Chloe  and  Mammy  Phil,  who 
had  brought  up  the  younger  part  of  the  flock  and  com 
forted  the  elders  in  times  of  difficulty  and  trouble. 

The  new  mother  held  out  her  arms.  Jaqueline  and 
Patty  gave  her  a  warm  embrace.  Louis  shook  hands  with 
the  grace  of  a  gentleman,  and  smiled  out  of  fine  soft- 
brown  eyes.  A  very  good-looking  young  fellow  of 
eighteen,  home  from  his  first  college  year. 

"  Oh,  children,  I  hope  you  will  all  love  me,  for  I  have 
had  a  sad,  lonely  time  for  the  last  five  years.  It  seems 
so  good  to  get  to  a  real  home,  and  have  a  corner  in  your 
father's  big  heart.  And  we  will  all  try  to  make  each  other 
happy." 

4 


A   NEW   HOME. 

She  was  rather  tall  and  slim,  this  new  Mrs.  Mason,  with 
light-brown  hair  and  blue  eyes,  and  a  sweet,  wistful  smile. 
Nine  years  before  this,  she  and  her  husband  and  baby  had 
gone  out  to  Kentucky  with  a  colony,  and  though  the  val 
ley  was  extraordinarily  beautiful  and  fertile  they  had* 
known  many  hardships  and  more  than  one  Indian  skir 
mish.  Still,  they  were  young  and  happy  and  prospering 
when  death  came  to  Philip  Francois  Bouvier,  and  for  five 
years  she  had  been  full  of  perplexity  and  sorrow,  when 
the  coming  of  her  dead  cousin's  husband  had  brought 
a  glimpse  of  rest  and  the  proffer  of  a  haven  of 
delight. 

"  And  this  little  one."  She  reached  out  her  hand  to 
Varina.  "  You  and  Annis  cannot  be  far  apart  in  age,  and 

will  be  excellent  friends,  I  trust.  Was  there  not " 

glancing  around. 

"  Charles,  put  up  your  book  and  come  and  speak  to  your 
new  mother.  And  then  to  breakfast.  I  shouldn't  blame 
Chloe  if  she  put  us  on  short  commons  this  morning,  we 
are  shamefully  late.  Your  mother  and  I  had  several  points 
to  discuss.  We  will  do  better  to-morrow,  Chloe.  I  hope 
you  have  not  allowed  these  marauders  to  tear  down  the 
house  nor  tear  up  the  garden.  Ah,  good-morning, 
Homer." 

Homer  was  the  tall,  stately  major-domo.  The  Indian 
blood  in  his  veins  showed  in  his  erect  stature,  his  straight 
nose,  and  his  hair,  which,  though  quite  frosty  and  curly, 
was  not  kinky.  And  Homer  felt  as  proud  of  his  blood 
as  any  of  the  Rolfe  descendants. 

They  were  all  settled  about  the  table  presently — a  house 
hold  to  be  proud  of.  Mrs.  Mason  took  her  place  at  the 
urn;  Annis  had  a  seat  beside  her.  Varina  was  on  one 
side  of  her  father,  Charles  on  the  other.  A  fine-appear 
ing  flock,  truly ;  Jaqueline  and  Patricia  giving  promise  of 
much  beauty.  Louis  was  tall  and  manly,  though  one 

5 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

could  see  he  had  been  bitten  with  the  follies  of  early  youth 
by  a  certain  aspect  of  finery  that  young  men  affected. 

The  meal  was  long  and  entertaining  to  the  partakers. 
There  was  so  much  to  tell.  Many  things  had  happened 
in  the  six  weeks'  absence  of  the  head  of  the  house,  and 
everybody  running  wild.  True,  the  overseer  was  a  man 
of  judgment  and  foresight,  and  of  wide  experience,  and 
the  estate  had  not  suffered.  Chloe  had  managed  to  keep 
what  she  called  the  "  whip  hand  "  of  the  house  servants. 
It  was  the  children  who  had  suffered  most.  Indeed,  if 
Aunt  Catharine  could  have  looked  upon  them  now  she 
,  would  have  thought  them  demoralized  beyond  redemp 
tion. 

But  Squire  Mason  was  an  easy-going  man,  and  had 
a  feeling  that  most  things  come  out  right  if  you  give 
them  a  chance.  Prosperity  is  apt  to  make  one  buoyant 
and  cheerful.  And  though  the  country  was  in  a  bad  way 
and  the  rulers  in  high  places  were  disputing  as  to  whether 
it  could  hold  together,  and  there  were  no  end  of  sinister 
predictions  even  among  those  who  had  borne  the  strain 
and  burden  of  making  a  country.  But  crops  had  been 
excellent,  and  on  the  large  estates  everything  needful  was 
raised,  so  there  was  no  stint.  The  Virginia  planter,  with 
his  broad  acres,  had  a  kingdom  in  virtue  of  this  plente- 
ousness. 

Mrs.  Mason  watched  the  two  chattering  girls,  the  little 
Varina,  who  held  whispered  confidences  with  her  father, 
the  abstracted  boy  Charles,  surprising  herself  with  a 
sort  of  desultory  conversation  with  the  young  man  who 
was  explaining  the  many  changes  in  men  and  events  and 
places  in  nine  years. 

"  And  we  have  brought  the  Capitol  to  Washington," 
he  said,  with  the  dignity  of  his  eighteen  years.  "  You 
know  there  was  a  tremendous  attempt  to  locate  it  at  Bal 
timore." 

6 


A   NEW   HOME. 

"  Yes.  Baltimore  is  dear  to  me.  All  my  young  life 
was  passed  there." 

"  I  suppose  there  were  some  good  reasons,  but  we 
Southerners  made  a  grand  fight.  We  had  Mr.  Jefferson 
on  our  side.  I  think  Virginia  never  had  full  credit  for 
her  brave  share  of  the  war.  At  all  events  we  had  the 
crowning  victory,  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis." 

"  I  have  quite  a  desire  to  see  Washington." 

"  It  is  so  hard  to  get  grants  to  go  on  with  the  buildings 
and  improvements.  The  country  ought  to  have  more 
enthusiasm.  But  the  eastern  States  are  not  over-cordial 
yet.  Why,  there  could  have  been  next  to  nothing  done 
when  you  went  away !  " 

"  There  had  been  some  trouble  with  Major  1'Enfant, 
I  believe.  And  everybody  was  counting  on  a  fortune  for 
the  ground." 

"  As  they  are  yet,"  and  the  young  man  laughed. 
"  Father  has  a  tract  of  swamp  and  elder  bushes.  When 
the  streets  reach  out  to  us  and  the  population  increases, 
we  may  go  in.  At  least  some  of  us  younger  ones.  I  don't 
suppose  anything  would  induce  father  to  give  up  the 
estate  here  ?  " 

"  You  are  right  there,  Louis.  This  old  Randolph  place 
will  last  my  time  out,"  said  his  father,  who  had  caught 
the  last  of  the  sentence.  "  We  are  near  enough,  and  can 
get  over  to  see  the  shows,  while  we  keep  out  of  the  quar 
rels.  Some  day  it  will  be  a  fine  town,  and  the  country 
at  large  may  be  proud  of  it.  But  there  must  be  no  end 
of  money  sunk  in  the  bogs.  We  will  go  over  and  in 
spect  it." 

"  I  hope  Mrs.  Madison  finds  more  for  her  comfort  than 
Mrs.  Adams  did,"  said  Mrs.  Mason,  with  a  smile.  "  I 
can  appreciate  pioneer  life." 

"  Mrs.  Madison  isn't  lady  of  the  White  House  abso 
lutely,  but  she  is  sent  for  to  receive  everybody.  And  she 

7 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

entertains  delightfully  herself.  You  know,"  Jaqueline 
said  this  to  her  new  mother,  "  that  Aunt  Jane  lives  in  the 
City " 

"  She  has  not  yet  made  Aunt  Jane's  acquaintance,  or, 
if  she  did,  it  was  when  Aunt  Jane  was  a  mere  child.  You 
were  here  on  a  visit — when,  Patricia  ?  " 

"  Just  before  I  was  married,  fifteen  years  ago,  or  nearly. 
And  Jaqueline  was  a  little  yellow-haired  baby." 

"  Oh,  how  queer !  "  cried  Patty. 

"  You  see,  mother  was  a  widow  some  years,  and  her 
second  family  is  still  quite  young.  Yes,  Jane  has  married 
very  well,  a  surveyor  and  civil  engineer.  But  it  will  not 
do  for  us  to  sit  over  the  breakfast  table  all  day  if  we  are 
going  to  mother's,"  and  the  squire  rose,  pulling  himself 
together  with  a  sort  of  shake. 

"  Must  we  go  to-day  ?  "  Mrs.  Mason's  voice  was  be 
seeching. 

"  Oh,  mother  would  consider  it  an  unpardonable  slight ! 
She  is  a  great  stickler  for  deference  and  attention,  and  all 
that.  Yes,  and  it  is  a  good  long  drive.  We  can  return 
home  by  moonlight,  however."  He  was  coming  around 
to  his  wife's  side.  "  We  must  take  this  little  one  and 
show  her  to  her  grandparents.  Rene,  do  you  not  want  to 
go  along  ?  " 

Varina  looked  undecided.  She  was  not  quite  sure  she 
wanted  a  new  sister  so  near  her  own  age.  She  had  been 
the  pet  and  the  plaything  of  the  household,  and  last 
night  Mammy  Phillis  went  over  to  the  newcomer,  who 
had  gone  to  bed  for  the  first  time  in  her  life  without  being 
cuddled  by  her  own  dear  mother. 

The  squire  pinched  his  new  little  girl's  cheek  softly. 
She  leaned  it  gently  down  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand  in 
a  mute  caress.  He  was  very  fond  of  children. 

There  was  the  confusion  of  everyone  rising,  and  all 
of  them  talking  at  once,  it  seemed. 

8 


A   NEW   HOME. 

After  her  good  night's  sleep  and  her  week  of  happiness 
Mrs.  Patricia  Mason  looked  both  young  and  pretty, 
though  now  she  was  not  much  past  two-and-thirty. 

"  I  want  to  ride  over,"  declared  Jaqueline ;  "  I  have  not 
been  in  ever  so  long.  And  Marion  is  to  have  a  party  on 
her  birthday,  early  in  September.  What  a  pity  Louis  will 
be  gone!  She's  desperately  sweet  on  Louis." 

The  young  man  flushed  scarlet. 

"  You  can't  marry  your  aunt  any  more  than  you  can 
marry  your  grandmother,"  said  his  father  in  a  teasing 
tone. 

"Jack  is  always  thinking  about  marrying,"  flung  out 
the  brother.  "  It's  a  nasty  way  girls  have." 

"  There !  there !  No  disputing,  or  the  new  mother  will 
think  she  has  fallen  into  a  hornets'  nest.  Go  and  get 
ready.  I'll  take  a  glance  at  the  stables  and  see  Dixon 
for  a  moment,"  and  he  turned  away.  But  Louis  caught 
his  arm  and  kept  step  with  him. 

"Well,  what  is  it?"  he  asked  rather  impatiently. 
"  Money  again  ?  You  young  people  think  the  well  is 
exhaustless." 

"  No,  it  isn't  money."  His  tone  was  a  little  husky. 
"  Jerry  is  lame.  I  rode  him  rather  hard  one  day " 

The  squire  smothered  an  oath.  He  had  promised  his 
young  wife  he  would  not  swear  at  everything.  It  was  a 
bad  habit,  a  bad  example  to  his  boys. 

"  How  did  that  come  about  ?  I  told  you  Jerry  was  not 
to  be  taken  on  tramps.  You  young  fellows  have  no 
sense." 

"  I  was  over  to  Kenyon's  one  day.  They  bet  her 
against  Kenyon's  mare.  I  tried  to  get  out  of  it " 

"  And  you  were  beaten !  Served  you  right !  My  poor 
Jerry !  "  with  a  touch  of  desperate  anger  in  the  tone. 

"  No,  I  won ! "  There  was  a  ring  of  elation  in  the 
young  voice.  "  He  came  in  five  seconds  ahead.  There 

9 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

was  a  great  time,  you  may  be  sure,  and  Kenyon  was  for 
trying  it  again.  He  thinks  nothing  can  beat  the  mare. 
I  think  Jerry  trod  on  something.  His  foot  and  leg  have 
been  swollen.  Cato  has  him  almost  well,  though." 

"  I  meant  to  keep  shady  and  enter  him  next  year.  I 
do  believe  if  you  hadn't  beat  I  should  just  take  it  out  of 
your  hide,"  and  the  squire  laughed.  "  Now  it  will  go 
abroad  that  I  have  a  crack  horse.  Well — and  what  did 
Cato  say?" 

"  He  was  lame  the  next  morning,  but  Cato  thought  it 
wouldn't  be  much,  and  when  he  grew  worse  Cato  worked 
over  him  faithfully.  He  is  sure  he  will  be  all  right." 

"  You  are  beginning  early,  young  man.  Next  time 
you  let  my  especial  horse  alone.  Well,  I'm  glad  it's  no 
worse.  But  I  won't  have  you  turning  out  a  horse 
jockey." 

They  had  reached  the  stables,  where  two  or  three  old 
men  and  half  a  dozen  negro  boys  were  making  a  pre 
tense  of  being  busy,  but  they  rushed  to  welcome  the 
squire.  Cato  and  Jerry  were  both  interviewed,  and  when 
the  master  emerged  with  a  pleasant  face  and  scattered  a 
handful  of  coppers  for  the  small  fry  to  chase  about, 
Louis  felt  quite  relieved,  for,  truth  to  tell,  he  had  had  sev 
eral  rather  wretched  days  about  his  father's  favorite. 

The  squire  ordered  up  the  carriage,  and  Julius  came 
down  with  missy's  commands. 

Annis  had  followed  her  mother  up  the  broad  staircase 
to  the  large,  light  room  where  a  slim  young  colored  girl 
was  putting  away  various  articles  in  drawers  and  closets. 
The  small  wardrobe  had  been  increased  during  the  brief 
time  spent  in  Baltimore,  but  was  not  very  extensive 
yet. 

When  Randolph  Mason  had  gone  to  Baltimore  to  settle 
the  estate  of  one  of  his  wife's  cousins,  as  he  had  been 
named  executor,  he  found  Patricia  Bouvier  mentioned 


A   NEW   HOME. 

among  the  heirs.  He  recalled  the  pretty,  attractive  girl 
his  wife  had  taken  such  an  interest  in,  who  had  married 
an  enthusiastic  young  French  Huguenot,  and  some  time 
after  joined  a  colony  of  emigrants  to  the  "  New  Coun 
tries,"  as  the  Middle  West  was  then  called. 

"  She  was  left  a  widow  some  years  ago,"  said  one  of 
the  relatives.  "  She  did  write  about  coming  back,  but 
it  is  a  long  journey  for  a  woman  and  a  little  child.  Lat 
terly  we  have  not  heard.  I  dare  say  she  is  married 
again." 

There  was  a  company  going  out  to  settle  some  bound 
ary  question  and  make  surveys,  and  on  the  spur  of  the 
moment  the  squire's  adventurous  blood  was  roused  and 
he  joined  them.  They  had  magnificent  summer  weather, 
and  his  enjoyment  was  intense.  He  found  the  little  set 
tlement  and  Mrs.  Bouvier,  who  had  known  varying  for 
tunes  since  her  husband's  death.  She  had  been  kindly 
cared  for,  and  more  than  one  man  would  gladly  have 
married  her,  but  her  heart  yearned  for  her  own  people. 
To  take  the  journey  alone  seemed  too  venturesome,  and 
she  well  knew  the  perils  of  frontier  travel.  So  she  had 
waited  with  a  longing  soul  for  some  deliverance.  She 
would  go  back  gladly. 

There  was  no  difficulty  in  disposing  of  her  claim  in 
the  settlement.  She  bade  good-by  to  the  grave  it  had 
been  a  sad,  sweet  pleasure  to  tend,  and  with  her  little  girl 
and  her  delightful  guide  and  convoy  set  out  on  the 
journey. 

Before  they  reached  Baltimore  a  new  tie  had  sprung 
up  between  them.  True,  Squire  Mason  had  thought  oc 
casionally  during  the  last  year  of  marrying  again.  His 
sister  Catharine  had  said  to  him  before  her  departure: 

"  The  best  thing  you  can  do,  Randolph,  is  to  marry 
soon.  The  girls  will  need  someone  to  supervise  them 
and  see  that  they  make  proper  marriages.  Mrs.  Keen 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

would  be  admirable,  as  she  has  no  children.  And  there 
are  the  Stormont  girls ;  any  of  them  would  be  suitable, 
since  even  Anne  is  not  young.  I  wish  I  had  taken  this 
in  hand  before." 

"  I  wish  you  were  not  going  away,  Catharine.  My 
girls  ought  to  be  nearer  to  you  than  Mr.  Conway's,"  he 
said  ruefully. 

"  I  will  still  do  what  I  can  for  them.  There  is  excellent 
society  at  Williamsburg,  and  I  can  give  them  pleasant 
visits.  But  I  never  saw  a  man  more  in  need  of  a  wife 
than  Mr.  Conway.  It's  a  good  thing  clergymen  wear  a 
surplice,  for  I  am  sure  he  never  could  tell  whether  he  was 
decent  or  not.  Surely  it  is  a  plain  duty." 

"  And  you  leave  me  in  the  lurch  ?  " 

"  But,  you  see,  a  clergyman  needs  a  person  well  fitted 
for  the  position,  which,  I  must  say,  every  woman  is  not," 
with  an  air  of  complacency. 

"  And  you  think  anyone  will  do  for  me !  " 

"  How  foolish  you  are,  brother !  I  think  no  such 
thing.  You  certainly  have  sense  enough  to  make  a  wise 
choice." 

But  he  had  not  chosen,  and  now  he  thought  he  should 
like  this  sweet,  sorrowful,  tender  Patricia.  How  bright 
he  could  make  her  life ! 

He  was  so  strong,  so  sincere  and  cheerful.  He  made 
friends  with  shy  Annis,  who  sat  on  his  knee  and  was 
intensely  interested  in  his  girls — he  always  called  them 
little.  And  before  they  reached  Baltimore  he  had  asked 
Patricia  to  marry  him,  and  Annis  had  consented  to  be  his 
little  girl.  Mrs.  Bouvier's  small  patrimony  was  to  be 
settled  on  the  child.  But,  then,  she  could  not  have  im 
agined  Mr.  Mason  being  mercenary. 

Word  had  been  sent  to  the  household  of  the  marriage. 
They  had  not  thought  of  objecting.  In  the  great  draw 
ing  room  there  was  a  portrait  of  their  mother  in  a  white 

12 


A    NEW    HOME. 

satin  gown,  with  pearls  about  her  neck.  It  had  been 
painted  during  a  visit  to  London.  They  all  went  and 
looked  at  it,  and  wondered  if  the  cousin  Patricia  would 
be  anything  like  that ! 

"  I  don't  believe  she  is  as  beautiful,"  declared 
Jaqueline. 

There  had  been  several  delays  on  the  latter  part  of  the 
journey,  and  it  was  evening  when  the  travelers  reached 
home.  The  welcome  had  been  a  hearty  one,  and  when 
supper  was  over  Annis  was  nodding.  It  was  past  Va- 
rina's  bedtime.  Charles  had  already  stolen  off. 

"  Take  the  children  to  bed,  Phillis,"  said  the  master. 
"  They're  to  be  sisters,  so  they  may  as  well  begin  by  shar 
ing  the  same  room.  You  won't  feel  lonesome,  little 
Annis?" 

"  I'll  go  with  her,"  said  the  mother  in  her  soft  voice. 

"  Nay."  Randolph  Mason  put  his  hand  on  his  wife's 
arm  and  kept  her  a  prisoner.  "  Phillie  is  the  best  of  mam 
mies.  And  you  belong  in  part  to  me.  You  have  had  a 
hard  time,  and  now  there  is  someone  to  wait  upon  you 
and  ease  you  up.  Good-night,  little  ones." 

He  kissed  both  children.  Annis  wanted  to  cling  to  her 
mother,  for  even  through  these  three  days  of  her  married 
life  her  mother  had  heard  her  little  prayer  and  put  her  to 
bed,  so  she  had  not  felt  really  separated.  But  when 
Philly  took  her  hand  it  came  with  a  sudden  wrench.  She 
dared  not  cry  out  in  the  face  of  them  all.  But,  oh,  was 
her  own  dear  mother  not  hers  any  more?  Did  she  truly 
belong  to  father  Mason?  And  all  these  large  children? 
Had  she  given  herself  away  when  father  Mason  had  put 
a  ring  on  her  finger  and  called  her  his  wife  ? 

She  was  out  in  the  hall — being  led  upstairs,  and  Phil 
lis'  hand  was  as  soft  as  a  crumpled  rose  leaf.  Her  voice 
was  soft  and  sweet  too.  There  were  two  small  white- 
covered  beds,  and  when  they  were  undressed  and  within 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

them  Phillis  crooned  a  low  melody,  and  the  little  girl,  be 
ing  very  tired  and  sleepy,  forgot  her  sorrows. 

Then  in  the  morning  Phillis  came  and  dressed  them 
both  and  curled  Annis'  soft,  light  hair.  Jaqueline  seized 
on  her  the  moment  she  entered  the  breakfast  room. 

"  I  hardly  had  a  look  at  you  last  night,"  she  began. 
"  I  do  hope  you  won't  feel  strange  and  that  you  will  like 
us  all.  And  there  are  ever  so  many  other  relations.  Did 
you  never  have  any  brothers  or  sisters  ?  " 

"  No,"  answered  Annis,  with  a  kind  of  wistful  regret, 
raising  her  eyes  shyly. 

"  We  have  another  lot  out  at  the  Pineries.  It's  queer, 
but  we  don't  call  them  uncles  and  aunts,  except  Aunt 
Jane,  because  she  is  married  and  the  oldest.  And  we  al 
ways  dispute — it's  very  funny  and  queer.  Grandfather 
is  a  Federal — well,  a  sort  of  Tory,  too — and  father's  a  Re 
publican.  People  who  live  in  a  republic  ought  to  be 
Republicans.  That's  what  we  fought  for." 

Annis  stared.  "  Out  home — there,"  indicating  the 
West  with  her  head,  "  they  fought  the  Indians." 

"  Well — it  is  all  about  the  same  thing,  only  there  are 
not  many  Indians  around  here.  And  we  don't  fight  each 
other." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that !  "  and  the  young  man  who 
was  toying  with  the  ears  of  an  English  hound  laughed. 

Then  had  come  the  puzzling  question,  and  Annis  Bou- 
vier  wondered  what  side  she  must  take  and  was  sadly 
mystified. 


THE   PINERIES. 
CHAPTER  II. 

THE    PINERIES. 

A  NNIS  ran  and  threw  her  arms  around  her  mother's 
**  neck  and  kissed  her  fervently. 

"  Are  you  glad  to  come  here  and  do  you  like  them 
all  ?  "  she  asked  when  she  found  her  breath.  "  And  it  is 
so  queer,  with  all  the  black  people  and  the  great  house  and 
— and  everything !  " 

"  It  is  a  little  strange.  You  will  like  it  better  by  and 
by,"  glancing  tenderly  down  in  her  child's  eyes. 

"  And  you — must  you  be  mother  to  all  the  children  ? 
Am  I  never  to  have  you  any  more  ?  " 

"  You  have  me  now.  Yes,  you  will  always  have  me. 
Don't  you  remember  you  used  to  wish  for  a  sister  like 
Sallie  Reed  ?  Her  mother  loved  all  the  children." 

"  But  she  had  them  when  they  were  cunning  little 
babies,"  was  the  decisive  reply. 

"  Dear," — her  mother  knelt  down  and  put  her  arms 
around  the  child, — "  it  is  this  way.  We  have  come  to  this 
lovely  home  which  is  to  be  ours,  and  all  the  pleasant 
things  a  good  friend  can  give — a  kindly,  generous  friend. 
I  used  to  feel  anxious  and  worried  about  your  future. 
There  was  no  good  school.  The  life  was  very  narrow. 
And  if  I  had  been  taken  away " 

"  But  they  never  would  let  the  Indians  take  you.  Oh, 
mother  dear !  "  with  a  fervent  embrace.  She  had  not 
meant  that,  but  she  would  not  give  the  other  explanation. 

"  And  all  these  children  are  going  to  share  their 
father's  love  with  you.  He  will  give  you  this  beautiful 
home,  clothe  you,  educate  you,  and  he  puts  me  in  the 
place  of  their  dear  mother  who  is  dead.  He  is  going  to 
care  for  me  and  keep  me  from  toil  and  sorrows  and  per- 

15 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

plexities.  When  you  are  older  you  will  understand  bet 
ter.  I  hope  you  will  try  to  love  them  all,  and  this  good 
dear  friend  who  will  be  a  father  to  you." 

"  But  I  shall  love  you  the  best." 

"  Yes,  dear,"  with  a  proud  certainty. 

"  And  you  will  love  me  better  than  anyone  else?  "  and 
Annis  clasped  her  mother  with  a  child's  unreasoning  ex- 
clusiveness. 

"  Yes,  dear." 

A  merry  voice  went  lilting  through  the  hall.  Jaqueline 
paused  a  moment  at  the  door.  She  was  in  her  pretty 
green  riding  habit,  and  her  straw  hat  had  a  bunch  of  iri 
descent  cock's-plumes.  She  held  her  riding  whip  in  one 
gloved  hand,  and  she  really  was  a  picture  good  to  look  at. 

"Oh,  are  you  ready?"  Mrs.  Mason  asked. 

"  Yes,  and  the  carriage  has  come,  but  father  is  still 
down  at  the  stables.  Rene  doesn't  want  to  go,  from  some 
queer  freak,  and  Patty  does.  I  don't  believe  father  would 
mind — would  you  ?  " 

"  Why,  of  course  not,"  in  a  cordial  tone. 

"  Rene  is  queer  sometimes."  Jaqueline  studied  An 
nis,  and  smiled  in  an  odd  fashion,  for  Varina  had  just  de 
clared  she  "  wouldn't  go  anywhere  with  that  new  girl,  and 
that  she  did  not  mean  to  like  her,  for  after  all  she  was  not 
a  real  sister,  and  they  had  done  very  well  without  any 
mother,  and  she  just  wished  father  had  not  brought  her 
home." 

"  It's  the  big  carriage,"  said  Patty,  "  and  I  could  go  if 
Rene  did  not  want  to.  I  hate  to  stay  home  all  alone." 

Jaqueline  understood  that  this  would  be  the  easiest 
way  of  settling  the  matter,  for  Varina  had  a  streak  of  ob 
stinacy  that  was  conquered  soonest  by  "  giving  her  her 
head,"  as  Phillis  said. 

"  Never  mind  about  the  box,"  as  one  of  the  men  had 
come  in  with  hatchet  and  hammer.  "  I  won't  unpack  it 

16 


THE   PINERIES. 

this  morning,"  began  Mrs.  Mason.  "  Is  Patricia  getting 
ready  ?  "  She  tied  Annis'  hat  in  a  big  bow  under  her  chin, 
and  then  putting  on  her  own  they  walked  downstairs 
while  Jaqueline  went  for  Patty.  Varina  was  nowhere  to 
be  seen. 

Mrs.  Mason  had  hardly  noted  her  new  home  in  the 
dusk  of  the  evening,  except  to  be  aware  that  it  was  very 
large.  The  broad  veranda  was  like  a  hall.  Four  fluted 
columns  ran  up  to  the  second-story  windows,  with  vines 
trained  on  trelliswork  in  between.  The  house  had  but 
two  stories,  and  an  extensive  observatory  on  the  top  that 
really  was  a  delightful  room  during  the  spring  and 
autumn.  A  lawn  filled  with  clumps  of  shrubbery  and 
well-grown  trees  stretched  down  to  the  road,  the  drive 
winding  around  in  a  half-curve.  From  the  front  there 
was  nothing  to  mar  the  handsome  outlook  where  the 
ground  lay  in  a  line  of  curves  to  the  Potomac.  The  sta 
bles,  the  workshops,  and  the  negro  quarters  were  cut  off 
by  a  tall,  thick  hedge. 

Mr.  Mason  came  around  the  corner  of  the  house. 
Jaqueline  was  feeding  Hero  lumps  of  sugar,  to  the  amaze 
ment  of  Annis.  Patty  flew  across  the  veranda  in  a  whirl, 
and  her  father  merely  nodded  to  her  explanations  as  they 
were  put  on  the  back  seat.  Jaqueline  waved  her  hand, 
and  Hero  started  off  at  a  sharp  canter. 

Patty  could  not  keep  still  very  long,  and  began  to 
question  Annis  as  to  what  the  Kentucky  home  was  like, 
and  if  she  was  glad  or  sorry  to  leave  it.  There  had  been 
only  Seth  Bowers,  who  worked  the  farm,  and  an  Indian 
woman  to  help  about  the  house,  but  just  across  a  little 
yard  space  the  Browns  had  lived,  and  beyond  were  the 
stockade  and  the  blockhouse.  Then  the  log  houses  were 
ranged  around. 

"  But  were  you  not  afraid  ?  "  asked  Patty.  "  Suppose 
the  Indians  had  come  ?  " 

17 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  All  the  Indians  about  were  friendly.  We  were  not 
afraid  of  them." 

"  But  what  did  you  spend  your  time  at — if  you  didn't 
go  to  school  ?  " 

"  Mother  taught  me.  Sally  Brown  came  in  when  she 
wasn't  too  busy,  and  we  studied.  Mrs.  Brown  spun  and 
knit,  and  Adam  Dodge  had  a  loom  where  he  wove  cloth. 
Oh,  there  were  a  great  many  things !  " 

"  A  hard  life  it  was  for  you,"  and  Mr.  Mason  glanced 
at  his  wife's  countenance,  which  had  fallen  into  thought 
ful  lines. 

''  There  have  been  many  pioneers,"  she  returned  with  a 
half-smile.  "  Virginia  is  full  of  their  graves.  And  the 
northern  coasts.  Our  people  were  wiser.  They  chose  a 
less  rigorous  clime." 

"  True.  The  story  North  and  South  is  full  of  romance. 
But,  then,  what  country  is  not?  The  old  Romans  colo 
nized,  sometimes  very  cruelly,  tearing  people  from  their 
homes.  We  came  of  our  free  will,  except  such  as  were 
redemptioners." 

"  And  slaves,"  in  a  low  tone. 

"  That  is  a  serious  question,"  and  the  squire's  rugged 
brows  knit.  "  That  they  are  better  off  is  beyond  cavil. 
In  their  own  land  they  fight  and  destroy  each  other,  make 
slaves,  and  many  tribes  are  no  doubt  cannibals.  The  Pres 
ident  has  always  considered  it  bad  for  the  country.  But 
we  have  needed  labor.  And  in  Bible  times  men  were  per 
mitted  to  enslave  other  nations.  The  dominant  race  gets 
the  upper  hand,  and  it  is  right  that  knowledge  and  im 
provement  should  have  a  chance  against  ignorance  and 
degeneracy.  But  this  is  a  somber  talk  for  such  a  fair  day. 
Look !  Over  yonder  is  the  Capital." 

She  saw  the  gleam  of  the  white  buildings,  and  here  and 
there  an  imposing  mansion.  It  was  in  truth  a  magnifi 
cent  day ;  the  balmy  breath  of  forests  and  the  coolness  of 

18 


THE    PINERIES. 

the  river  tempering  the  heat.  In  and  out  by  dainty  edges 
fringed  with  grasses,  some  standing  sentinel-like,  some 
dallying  coquettishly  with  the  breeze,  flowed  the  broad 
river.  There  were  innumerable  little  islets  of  rank  green 
ness  looking  as  if  they  were  set  asail  on  its  bosom,  and 
here  and  there  a  spike  of  blossom.  All  this  great  marsh 
the  hand  of  man  and  the  wit  of  his  brain  were  to  trans 
form  into  one  of  the  great  cities  of  the  world  before  the 
century  ended.  Long,  straight  barren  places  were  to  be 
beautiful  streets,  but  now  they  were  gray  and  dreary  in 
the  sunshine.  She  liked  the  woods  better,  the  winding 
road  that  now  was  in  a  dense  shade  from  the  overarching 
trees,  and  now  came  out  to  broad  spaces  of  sunshine. 
Squirrels  chattered  and  ran  about,  whisking  their  feathery 
tails  like  a  fan ;  bird  notes,  clear  and  sweet,  dying  to  most 
exquisite  softness,  made  melody  in  the  air ;  bees  hummed 
and  crooned,  secure  of  their  hidden  sweets.  Patricia 
Mason  drank  it  all  in  with  a  great  feeling  of  gladness.  It 
was  so  unlike  the  primeval  solitudes  where  the  few  clung 
together,  when  the  darkness  fell,  with  a  nameless  terror, 
or  listened  to  the  great  shivering  woods,  wondering  if  an 
enemy  lay  in  ambush.  God  had  watched  over  her  and 
her  child  and  raised  up  kindly  friends,  and  had  now  given 
her  home  and  rest — and,  yes,  love.  How  could  she  do 
otherwise  than  love  this  large-hearted,  generous  man! 
And  she  must  train  Annis  to  pay  him  something  more 
than  mere  respect. 

The  pretty  young  rider  put  her  horse  through  his 
various  paces.  Now  and  then  she  was  lost  to  sight  by 
some  turn  in  the  road,  then  she  waited  with  a  laughing 
face  and  paced  demurely  alongside  of  the  carriage,  chat 
ting  gayly  with  her  father  or  Patricia.  She  was  not  quite 
at  home  yet  with  her  new  mother. 

The  day  grew  warmer.  They  drew  up  in  a  densely 
shaded  place. 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Let  us  get  out  and  rest,"  said  the  squire.  "  There  are 
some  fruit  and  a  little  luncheon,  for  we  shall  be  late  at  the 
Pineries.  It  is  too  warm  to  drive  fast.  But  it  will  be  de 
lightful  coming  back  after  sundown." 

Jaqueline  slipped  off  her  horse.  Patricia  sprang  out 
with  the  litheness  of  a  kitten.  But  the  squire  took  Annis 
in  his  arms  and  as  he  stood  her  down,  kissed  her,  which 
brought  a  quick  blush  to  her  cheek. 

They  found  a  fallen  tree  and  a  great  flat  rock  that 
looked  as  if  Nature  had  set  her  table  for  travelers  coming 
by.  They  spread  out  their  lunch.  The  girls  had  the 
ready  hunger  of  youth.  Annis  went  round  by  her  mother. 
It  was  all  so  new  and  strange.  She  could  not  feel  afraid 
of  this  second  father,  and  yet  she  did  grudge  his  claim 
upon  her  mother  a  little,  the  mother  who  was  now  in  a 
rather  gay  conversation  with  the  two  young  girls.  Jaque 
line  was  amusing  in  her  descriptions  of  the  Pineries,  and 
though  her  father  checked  her  rattling  tongue  now  and 
then,  she  did  not  greatly  heed  it.  Aunt  Catharine  had 
been  rather  free  in  her  strictures  on  people  and  events, 
and  the  family  at  the  Pineries  had  not  escaped. 

Then  they  resumed  their  journey,  and  the  road  grew 
wilder.  Washington  and  Georgetown  were  left  behind, 
the  houses  were  less  frequent,  but  the  river  still  ran  along 
by  their  sides,  and  now  and  then  a  boat  of  some  kind 
passed  them.  Then  they  came  to  a  clearing  and  a  great 
stretch  of  tobacco  plantations,  a  winding  drive  through 
giant  pines  that  rustled  like  a  river  hurrying  over  a  rocky 
bed.  In  the  midst  of  a  woods,  it  seemed,  so  close  were 
the  trees,  with  a  fine  open  space  in  the  front,  stood  the 
mansion. 

On  the  wide  porch  sat  an  elderly  man  with  flowing 
silvery  hair,  inclined  to  curl  at  the  ends,  but  not  fastened 
in  the  fashion  of  the  day.  His  frame  was  large,  but  one 
could  see  there  had  been  a  gradual  shrinking  of  the  flesh, 

90 


THE    PINERIES. 

for  his  face  and  his  long  thin  hands  were  much  wrinkled. 
Still,  there  was  a  tint  of  pink  in  his  cheeks,  and  his  eyes 
were  very  blue,  rather  piercing. 

"  Randolph  Mason !  "  he  exclaimed,  standing  his  big 
volume  down  on  the  porch  floor  and  taking  the  flight  of 
steps  deliberately.  "  This  is  indeed  a  surprise !  You 
have  been  a  great  truant,  and  I  hope  your  quest  was  sat 
isfactory.  When  did  you  return?  We  have  heard  noth 
ing  for  at  least  a  fortnight.  Your  mother  was  wonder- 
ing " 

"  Last  night.  I  spent  a  few  days  in  Baltimore.  And  I 
have  brought  home  a  new  wife,  so  we  came  at  once  to  pay 
our  respects  to  my  mother." 

"  Jack,  summon  Madam  and  Marian.  Allow  me  to 
give  you  congratulation,"  and  he  held  out  his  hand  to 
Mrs.  Mason  with  impressive  dignity.  "  You  will  have  a 
good  husband,  madam,  though  we  have  for  some  time 
considered  him  proof  against  woman's  charms.  But  we 
all  succumb  sooner  or  later.  I  was  quite  a  bachelor  when 
Mrs.  Mason  conquered  me.  Jaqueline,  how  do  you  do? 
And,  Patricia?  Why " 

He  stared  at  Annis. 

"  This  is  my  new  little  daughter  Annis  Bouvier.  We 
have  not  had  time  to  change  her  name  yet.  I  found  Mrs. 
Bouvier  without  much  difficulty,  and  persuaded  her  to 
return  to  her  relatives  at  Baltimore,  and  to  the  small  for 
tune  awaiting  her.  There  I  suddenly  was  seized  with  a 
new  mind  and  persuaded  her  to  marry  me." 

Squire  Mason  laughed  with  a  kind  of  boyish  gayety. 
Mr.  Floyd  looked  scrutinizingly  at  the  two  girls,  as  if 
wondering  how  they  had  taken  this  unexpected  new 
mother.  But  the  brilliant  faces  showed  no  disapproba 
tion. 

They  had  reached  the  porch,  and  the  master  rang  his 
bell  loudly  for  some  servants  and  began  to  berate  them 

91 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

all  for  a  lazy,  worthless  lot,  pushing  chairs  hither  and 
thither  and  inviting  the  guests  to  be  seated,  and  in  the 
midst  of  the  confusion  a  dignified  woman  crossed  the 
room  and  came  out  to  them. 

Even  now  Madam  Floyd,  halfw7ay  between  sixty  and 
seventy,  was  a  fine,  imposing  woman,  stately  and  rather 
stout.  Her  petticoat  of  embroidered  satin  was  displayed 
by  the  skirt  of  her  gown  being  drawn  aside  and  edged 
with  lace  that  made  cascades  of  the  creamy  stuff  as  she 
walked.  Her  sleeves  came  to  the  elbows  and  her  round 
arms  were  white  and  plump,  and  the  bit  of  neck  left  by  the 
stomacher  of  lace  showed  scarcely  any  sign  of  age.  On 
her  head  was  a  large  turban-like  cap  of  fine  sheer  mus 
lin  much  affected  by  the  elderly  woman  of  that  time. 

She  was  of  course  surprised  at  her  son's  marriage,  and 
said  rather  sharply  that  "  it  might  have  been  done  with 
less  haste,"  but  to  the  new  wife — "  You  will  find  men 
have  not  over-much  consideration.  And  I  suppose  it  was 
a  matter  of  satisfaction  to  leave  that  wild  land  behind 
you  and  return  to  the  home  of  your  childhood  ?  But  you 
found  many  changes,  doubtless.  You  were  of  the  Moore 
branch,  I  believe,  kin  to  my  son's  first  wife  ?  " 

Jaqueline  and  Patty  had  gone  to  hunt  up  Marian. 
Dolly  had  gone  off  in  the  mountains  visiting.  So  Madam 
had  the  guest  to  herself,  and  between  them  they  picked 
out  all  the  descent  of  the  family  from  the  coming  of  Lord 
de  la  Ware  down  to  the  present  time.  Even  the  Hugue 
not  Bouvier  was  not  wanting  in  good  birth,  so  that  mat 
ter  was  satisfactorily  settled.  Then  Madam  bethought 
herself  that  the  travelers  must  have  gone  without  dinner, 
and  ordered  a  table  set  out  on  the  porch,  with  cold 
chicken,  tempting  slices  of  fresh  bread,  and  wine,  and 
gave  charges  for  a  high  tea  at  an  early  hour,  since  the 
guests  had  not  come  to  stay. 

Mr.  Floyd  and  his  stepson  were  already  deep  in  poli- 

99 


THE   PINERIES. 

tics  and  growing  quite  heated.  The  country  was  all  astir, 
as  in  the  autumn  there  would  be  a  Presidential  election. 

"  There  will  be  no  chance  for  the  Federals,"  said  the 
elder  man  sharply.  "  The  President  will  have  things  all 
his  own  way  and  put  in  his  man,  who,  if  he  shilly-shallies, 
as  they  have  been  doing,  will  give  England  another 
chance.  She  beats  us  out  of  everything,  you  may  as  well 
admit.  And  this  embargo  hasn't  hurt  her,  and  it  will 
not.  There  will  be  no  French  to  call  upon  this  time 
for  help.  And  you  mark  my  words,  we  shall  go  back  like 
whipped  hounds !  I  knew  the  Colonies  never  could  hang 
together.  The  East  wants  one  thing,  the  middle 
States  another ;  and  they  demand  the  freedom  of  coming 
in  and  regulating  our  affairs.  No,  there  will  never  be  a 
settled  peace  until  England  has  really  conquered  us  and 
put  us  back  in  our  proper  place." 

Squire  Mason  laughed.  "  That  will  never  be.  We 
have  had  too  long  a  taste  of  freedom,  of  ruling  ourselves. 
And  if  we  could  not  be  conquered  before,  it  would  be  the 
wildest  folly  to  attempt  it  now.  Besides,  she  has  her 
hands  full." 

"  She  and  the  other  nations  will  join  to  finish  that  up 
start  Napoleon.  And  the  country  will  be  foolish  enough 
to  just  throw  itself  at  her,  and  she  won't  take  that !  Two 
kings  can't  govern  a  country,  and  we  have  a  dozen  differ 
ent  kings,  with  their  panaceas,  and  they  have  brought 
the  country  to  the  verge  of  ruin.  Washington  had 
some  wisdom,  I  will  admit,  and  Adams  some  sense,  but 
since  then,  with  this  half-infidel  who  believes  in  every  man 
having  his  own  religion,  and  no  state  church  to  rally 
about,  and  considers  that  one  man  has  just  as  much 
rights  as  another,  and  that  drivel  that  all  men  are  born 
free  and  equal !  They  are  not,  I  tell  you.  And  I  believe 
in  a  state  church  and  the  power  to  make  it  respected." 

"  Don't  get  so  excited,  father,"  admonished  his  wife. 

23 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Come,  Randolph,  have  a  bite  of  something  and  a  glass 
of  wine.  You  must  be  half  famished,  Mrs.  Patricia — the 
name  come  in  very  handy,  you  see.  And  the  little  girl. 
Annis  is  quite  out  of  the  family  lines.  I  don't  remember 
hearing  it.  It  has  a  Puritan  sound.  I  think  myself  it  is 
a  shame  the  world  should  be  so  mixed  up  on  religion. 
There  is  but  one  Bible,  and  there  should  be  but  one  way, 
and  the  scoffers  and  unbelievers  be  set  by  themselves." 

"  Where  are  the  girls  ?  "  asked  their  father. 

"  They  have  looked  up  Marian,  I  dare  say ;  and  she  has 
Sukey  Martin  and  two  of  the  maids  taking  apart  gowns 
and  fashioning  them  over  in  modern  style.  A  friend  sent 
Jane  some  patterns  from  Philadelphia,  and  she  passed 
them  on.  Did  you  see  much  that  was  new  in  Baltimore, 
Madam  Patricia?  Though  this  flightiness  of  dressing  is 
much  to  be  deprecated,  and  fills  the  minds  of  young  peo 
ple  with  vanity.  But  Jane  has  insisted  that  Marian  shall 
come  and  make  her  a  long  visit  this  winter.  They  are 
to  get  in  their  new  house  in  September.  I  do  hope  son 
Jettson  is  not  going  on  too  fast." 

"  He  may  as  well  make  the  money  as  anyone,"  sub 
joined  grandfather.  "  The  quicker  they  build  up  the 
quagmire  the  better  it  will  be  for  the  permanency  of  the 
Capital.  And  if  some  time  those  canting  Puritans  want  a 
separate  government  of  their  own,  they  can  take  New 
York  or  Philadelphia  for  their  center." 

"  They  are  improving  rapidly,"  said  the  squire.  "  It 
will  be  a  fine  city.  Daniel  Carroll's  mansion  is  an  orna 
ment,  and  the  Van  Ness  house  is  planned  for  much  gayety 
and  large  companies.  And  there  are  many  others  in 
process  of  erection." 

Annis  sat  beside  her  mother  and  thought  of  the  talk 
with  which  the  day  began.  If  she  had  to  take  sides  it 
would  be  that  of  her  new  father,  who  was  smiling  and 
good-humored  and  did  not  bring  his  fist  down  on  the 

24 


THE    PINERIES. 

table  or  the  edge  of  the  chair  with  such  a  thump  that  it 
frightened  you.  She  did  not  like  the  grandfather,  she  de 
cided.  Yet  he  was  a  handsome  old  man,  with  his  ruffled 
shirt  front,  his  flowered  waistcoat,  his  velvet  small 
clothes,  with  silver  buckles  in  a  bow  just  below  his  knee 
and  others  set  with  brilliants  on  his  shoes. 

The  ladies  discussed  the  bringing  up  and  the  education 
of  girls.  They  were  to  be  good  housewives,  trained  in 
all  useful  arts,  and  their  chief  business  in  life  was  to 
make  good  marriages.  And  Madam  Floyd  admitted  that 
she  had  sent  Dolly  away  because  there  was  an  undesirable 
in  the  neighborhood,  a  young  Mr.  Sears  who  had  been 
abroad  and  who  played  high  and  drank  more  than  was 
seemly — a  degenerate  son  of  a  good  family.  Dolly  was 
very  light  and  trifling. 

"  Catharine  was  a  very  good,  steady  girl,  but  her  lover, 
a  most  worthy  young  man,  died,  and  she  lost  all  heart  for 
gayety.  And  when  I  married  Mr.  Floyd  " — she  bent  her 
head  over  and  spoke  in  a  lower  tone — "  I  thought  he  had 
some  feeling — men  are  given  to  jealousy,  you  know,  and 
as  Catharine  wras  fond  of  staying  with  her  brother,  and 
the  new  family  increased  so  rapidly  that  somehow  we 
were  weaned  away.  I  was  almost  struck  dumb  when  she 
came  and  told  me  about  her  marriage — a  settled  old  maid 
such  as  she  was !  However,  I  hope  it  is  for  the  best, 
and  that  really  made  it  necessary  for  Randolph  to 
marry." 

The  men  had  gone  at  politics  again. 

"  Marian  and  Dolly  were  too  young  to  go  and  look  after 
such  a  family,  even  if  their  father  would  have  spared 
them.  And  I  think  my  son  has  made  a  wise  choice, 
though  I  can't  tell  you  how  surprised  I  was,  with  no  notice 
beforehand." 

"  It  was  very  sudden.  I  could  not  have  done  it  with — 
with  a  stranger,"  and  Patricia  colored.  "  I  had  been  very 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

fond  of  my  cousin.  And  Mr.  Mason  was  so  kind,  so 
thoughtful " 

"  He  and  Catharine  hardly  seem  like  my  children,"  and 
their  mother  gave  a  faint  smile.  "  I  have  been  Mr. 
Floyd's  wife  twenty-five  years." 

Mrs.  Floyd  summoned  a  servant  presently  and  said 
she  would  show  her  new  daughter  the  house,  so  they  left 
the  men  to  their  pipes  and  their  disputes.  The  old  house 
had  been  built  long  ago  and  had  many  rare  belongings, 
for  one  ancestor  had  been  a  seafaring  man  and  brought 
home  no  end  of  curiosities.  The  wide  hall  went  straight 
through  the  middle,  but  the  kitchens  were  not  detached. 
There  were  a  great  storeroom  and  linen  press  and  bed 
ding  chests  crowded  to  the  brim.  Drawers  were  sweet 
with  napery  laid  in  lavender  and  rose  leaves.  The  very 
air  was  delicious  with  old-time  fragrance. 

"  In  the  new  countries  one  has  little  time  to  lay  up 
stores,"  Madam  said,  "  and  I  suppose  there  are  no  in 
structed  maids.  It  is  the  story  of  Jamestown  and  the 
eastern  Colonies  over  again.  But  we  have  been  civilized 
this  many  a  year,  and  kept  in  touch  with  the  mother 
country  as  well,  though  I  am  not  so  sure  that  we  would 
be  better  off  under  her  government.  My  forebears  made 
a  brave  struggle,  and  I  would  not  have  it  go  for  nothing. 
But  one  finds  it  idle  work  contradicting  one's  husband," 
and  she  smiled  faintly.  "  There  are  ways  to  get  along 
more  peaceably.  Though  it  seems  as  if  we  may  all  go 
to  pieces  yet." 

She  opened  the  next  door,  where  three  slaves  were 
spinning  piles  of  carded  wool  for  winter  v/ear,  and  the 
hum  of  the  wheels  had  the  rush  of  water  over  gentle  de 
scents.  Then  they  went  up  another  broad  staircase  to  the 
sleeping  chambers. 

"  My  daughters  will  have  a  good  outfit,"  she  said 
proudly.  "  Jane  is  a  notable  housekeeper  and  the  others 

26 


THE   PINERIES. 

are  being  trained.    A  woman  needs  to  know  all  suitable 
things." 

The  sound  of  girls'  voices  and  merry  laughs  reached 
them,  and  Madam  Floyd  frowned  sharply.  They  in 
spected  the  sleeping  chambers,  where  most  of  the  furni 
ture  was  massive  and  dark  with  age,  in  vivid  contrast  to 
white  hangings  and  blue-and-white  spreads. 

When  they  went  down  to  the  drawing  room  Madam 
Floyd  sent  a  servant  rather  sharply  for  her  daughter.  A 
young  girl  of  nineteen  or  so  entered  with  a  somewhat 
demure  aspect. 

"  You  seem  to  have  forgotten  your  duty  to  your  broth 
er's  wife,  Marian !  I  am  ashamed  of  you,  since  you  knew 
she  was  here!  Your  head  is  so  filled  up  with  finery 
there  is  no  room  for  manners,"  the  mother  exclaimed 
shortly. 

"  I  am  sorry.  I  thought  you  and  my  father  would 
want  them  both  a  while."  She  held  out  her  hand  to  Pa 
tricia  and  gave  her  a  welcome  and  good-wishes. 

"  And  now  order  the  tea  at  once.  Randolph  thinks  he 
cannot  remain  all  night,  and  it  is  a  long  ride  home.  But 
it  will  be  much  pleasanter  than  the  journey  hither." 

When  they  went  out  on  the  porch — where  most  of  the 
time  was  spent  in  the  warm  weather — they  found  the 
men  had  gone  to  inspect  the  crops  and  the  stock. 

"  You  will  find  Randolph  rather  easy-going,"  Madam 
Floyd  said  to  her  new  daughter.  "  And  the  children  have 
grown  quite  lawless  this  year,  though  I  cannot  say  Cath 
arine  kept  them  with  a  firm  hand.  Those  two  have  their 
father's  ways  in  a  great  measure.  I  hope  you  will  not 
find  it  too  hard,  Mistress  Patricia,  and  in  any  perplexity 
I  will  try  to  give  you  good  counsel.  I  hope  we  shall  be 
the  best  of  friends." 

"  I  am  thankful  for  your  kindliness  toward  me,"  re 
turned  the  daughter-in-law.  "  I  feel  quite  alone  in  the 

27 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

world.  So  many  of  the  Baltimore  cousins  are  dead.  And 
I  lost  my  own  mother  when  I  was  so  young." 

"  The  little  girl  seems  a  nice  quiet  child,"  the  elder 
said  presently.  "  Girls  are  more  manageable  when  they 
are  small,  but  troublesome  enough  when  the  time  of  lov 
ers  begins." 

Annis  sat  on  the  step  watching  the  great  peacock  strut 
ting  about  and  the  meek  peahens  seemingly  lost  in  ad 
miration  of  their  lord's  grandeur. 

Then  there  was  a  bountiful  supper  and  a  fine  ride  home 
in  the  moonlight  and  the  deliciously  fragrant  air.  Annis 
leaned  down  on  her  new  sister's  shoulder  and  fell  asleep. 


CHAPTER    III. 

APPLES    OF    DISCORD. 

TT  was  very  hard  for  Annis  Bouvier  to  give  up  so  much 
1  of  her  mother.  Her  new  father  teased  her  a  little,  but 
when  he  saw  she  was  really  pained  and  the  tears  came 
into  her  eyes  he  would  stop  and  give  her  a  caress  and  a 
kiss.  He  was  a  very  kindly  master,  and  the  overseer 
grumbled  a  little  at  times  and  made  up  by  undue  severity. 
Then  he  certainly  was  an  indulgent  father.  Patricia  de 
spaired  at  times  of  establishing  any  authority. 

The  house  was  so  large,  the  servants  so  numerous,  the 
confusion  so  great  after  the  quiet  life  she  had  led  in  the 
far-away  settlement.  And  at  first  not  a  day  passed  with 
out  some  visitors,  who  came  to  pay  their  respects  to  the 
new  mistress.  Jaqueline  ordered  her  pony  and  rode  off 
\vith  a  mere  announcement  to  anyone  standing  near.  She 
seemed  to  have  no  end  of  girl  friends  and  was  mostly  a 
law  unto  herself.  She  and  her  sister  had  numerous 
squabbles  that  never  degenerated  into  quarrels.  Annis 

28 


APPLES   OF   DISCORD. 

liked  Patricia  very  much,  but  she  and  Varina  looked 
askance  at  each  other,  with  considerable  jealousy  at  the 
bottom. 

Mrs.  Jettson  came  over  with  her  nurse  and  two  babies, 
and  Annis  was  delighted  with  them. 

"  But  they  are  not  yours  in  any  way,"  said  Varina. 
"  They  belong  to  us  and  Grandma  Floyd." 

"  That  is  being  a  selfish  little  girl,  Rene,"  said  Aunt 
Jane.  "  Annis  is  to  be  like  a  sister  to  you." 

"  But  I  don't  want  her  for  a  sister.  I  have  enough 
sisters.  She  shall  not  ride  on  my  pony  nor  feed  my  pig 
eons  nor  have  any  of  my  books." 

Annis'  heart  swelled  within  her. 

"  I  don't  want  any  of  them,"  she  made  answer.  "  And 
I  wish  mamma  and  I  could  go  away.  She  belongs  to  me 
and — and  a  little  to  your  father,  but  most  to  me.  But  I 
wish  she  didn't  belong  to  any  of  you !  "  and  the  soft,  deep 
eyes  overflowed  with  tears. 

"  Oh,  Annis !  what  is  this  all  about?  "  Patricia  flew  in 
and  clasped  the  little  girl  in  her  arms  in  spite  of  a  protest. 
"  I'm  beginning  to  love  your  mother  very  much.  You 
see,  she  does  belong  to  us,  and  now  you  can't  take  her 
away.  And  we  are  glad  to  have  you- " 

"  I'm  not  glad."  Varina  stretched  up  every  inch  of  her 
size.  "  I'm  sure  we  were  well  enough  before." 

"  It's  mostly  Rene's  dispute,"  began  Aunt  Jane. 
"  Annis  was  enjoying  the  babies.  Come  here,  dear." 

Annis  rushed  out  of  the  room  sobbing.  Where  was  her 
mother  ? 

"  Rene,  you  naughty  little  girl !  "  and  Patricia  gave  her 
a  shake.  "  Why,  Jane,  we  have  all  been  getting  along  in 
the  very  nicest  manner.  And  she's  just  lovely.  We 
couldn't  quite  resolve  at  first  whether  we  would  call  her 
mother ;  but  father  wanted  us  to,  and  now  it  seems  natural 
enough.  Louis  likes  her  ever  so  much.  And  Jack  says 

29 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

she's  like  a  big  sister.  She's  nicer  than  Aunt  Catharine 
was  at  the  last,  she  fretted  at  us  so.  I  hope  her  little 
girls  are  pretty  bad,  and  then  she  won't  think  we  are  the 
worst." 

Aunt  Jane  laughed.  "  I  dare  say  Aunt  Catharine  will 
have  some  trials.  That  is  a  funny  wish.  Rene,  you  must 
learn  to  like  this  little  girl.  I  think  her  very  nice  and 
sweet.  I  shall  ask  her  to  come  over  and  visit  me." 

"  Then  I  won't  come."    Varina's  eyes  flashed. 

"  But  why  do  you  not  like  her  ?  " 

"  She  sits  on  father's  knee,  and — and  Charles  read  to 
her  yesterday  and  showed  her  pictures  in  his  book  and 
said  she  understood  better  than  I  did.  And  Mammy  said 
her  hair  was  beautiful." 

Varina  began  to  cry. 

"  So  her  hair  is  beautiful,"  said  Aunt  Jane  decisively. 
"  And  perhaps  she  is  smart.  You  are  dull  at  your  book, 
Varina,  and  if  you  are  going  to  be  cross  and  jealous  your 
father  will  not  like  you.  Fie,  for  shame !  " 

"  If  you  are  going  to  roar  like  the  bull  of  Bashan  you 
will  have  to  go  upstairs  by  yourself.  And  I  must  find 
little  Annis,"  declared  Patricia. 

Annis  had  seen  her  mother  walk  down  the  path  under 
the  mulberry  trees,  and  she  ran  swiftly,  sobbing  as  if  her 
heart  would  break  with  a  strange,  yearning  homesickness 
for  the  home  in  the  forest  and  her  mother  all  to  herself 
once  more.  Then  she  caught  her  foot  in  the  root  of  a 
tree  that  had  pushed  up  out  of  the  ground,  but  two 
friendly  arms  clasped  her,  and  sitting  down  on  the  bole 
of  a  tree  that  had  been  sawed  off  to  thin  the  dense  shrub 
bery,  he  held  her  tenderly. 

"  What  is  it,  little  Annis  ?  What  has  happened  to 
you?" 

"  I  want  my  dear  mother,"  the  child  sobbed.  "  I  want 
her  to  go  away  and  take  me.  I  can't  stay  here.  I'd  rather 

3° 


APPLES    OF   DISCORD. 

have  Sally  Brown  to  play  with,  and  the  great  woods. 
I  think  I  shouldn't  even  mind  Indians,  nor  dark 
nights." 

"  Has  Charles  been  cross  to  you  ?  " 

"  No,  I  like  Charles.     Let  me  go  find  mamma." 

"  You  can't  have  her  just  now,"  said  Louis  in  a  sooth 
ing  tone.  "  Father  has  to  have  her  on  a  little  matter  of 
business." 

"  You  all  have  her !  "  resentfully. 

"  That   is   because   she   is   so   charming   and   sweet." 

Annis  looked  up  into  the  face  that  was  smiling  and 
sympathetic. 

"  Tell  me  the  trouble.  Surely  Patty  or  Jacky  have  not 
been  scolding  you  ?  For  you  couldn't  have  done  anything 
bad.  You  are  such  a  shy,  quiet  little  thing." 

"  I  was  playing  with  the  babies " 

"  Surely  it  wasn't  Aunt  Jane?  " 

"  No."  She  had  stopped  sobbing  and  raised  her  sweet 
eyes,  the  tears  still  beading  the  lashes. 

"  Why  do  you  want  to  go  away,  then  ?  " 

There  was  no  answer.  Did  she  really  want  to  go? 
The  arm  about  her  was  very  friendly.  She  had  felt  al 
most  afraid  of  this  big  brother,  but  his  voice  went  to  her 
heart. 

"  I  think  we  cannot  spare  you.  I  know  we  cannot 
spare  your  mother." 

"  Annis !  Annis !  "  called  the  clear  girl's  voice. 

"  Here,  Patty,"  answered  her  brother,  and  the  young 
girl  ran  down  to  them.  She  smiled  at  Annis. 

"  What  happened  ?  "  Louis  asked. 

"  It  was  that  little  cat  Rene !  She  didn't  scratch, 
though.  Rene  has  been  spoiled  by  everybody,  and  she 
believes  now  that  no  one  has  any  rights  but  herself." 

"  And  we'll  stand  by  Annis.  Come — you  do  like  us  a 
little,  do  you  not  ?  " 

31 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

He  put  both  hands  on  her  shoulders  and  smiled  in  a 
very  winsome  manner. 

"  Of  course  she  does."  Patty  stooped  and  kissed  her. 
"  You  must  not  mind  Rene  when  she  gets  in  a  temper. 
See,  there's  Jacky  and  I,  two  girls  on  your  side,  and  Louis 
and  Charles,  I  am  quite  sure.  Don't  you  know  Jack  told 
you  we  were  always  taking  sides  ?  " 

"  But— what  will— Rene  do?  " 

The  tone  was  so  half-reluctant,  pity  fighting  against  in 
clination,  that  Louis  could  not  forbear  smiling  while  he 
hugged  her  to  his  heart. 

"  Rene  must  be  punished.  It  isn't  the  first  time  she  has 
been  snappy,  Louis.  She  quarreled  with  Charles  the 
other  day  because " 

Patty  finished  the  sentence  with  raising  her  brows  and 
making  very  big  eyes. 

"  Because,"  said  Annis  in  a  low  tone,  "  he  was  reading 
to  me  and  would  not  leave  his  book  to  go  and  play." 

Annis  looked  very  pretty  with  her  downcast  eyes  and 
the  softened  truth  in  her  tone. 

"  Charles  was  a  gentleman.  All  Virginia  boys  should 
be.  And  now,  little  Annis,  isn't  it  all  made  up?  You 
will  not  want  to  go  away  ?  " 

"  I  like  you  both,"  Annis  said  simply. 

"  Come  back  and  see  the  babies,"  and  Patricia  held  out 
her  hand. 

Louis  bent  down  and  kissed  her.  Of  course  no  one 
would  ever  grudge  her  any  love,  not  even  Rene  when  she 
understood.  It  was  a  mere  childish  ebullition. 

Jaqueline  had  come  in  and  heard  the  story,  and,  as  she 
was  quite  accustomed  to  authority,  Rene  had  been  handed 
over  to  Mammy  Phillis  with  strict  injunction  to  keep  her 
a  prisoner  for  the  next  two  hours.  Jane  had  come  out  on 
the  lawn  and  little  Floyd  was  rolling  over  the  short  turf 
in  the  care  of  a  laughing  darkey  boy,  while  Arthur  lay  on 

32 


APPLES    OF   DISCORD. 

his  back  crowing  and  chewing  his  fat  fists  for  an  inter 
lude.  There  was  her  mother  with  some  "needle  work  in 
her  hand,  and  Annis  flew  to  her,  hiding  her  face  in  the 
little  hollow  between  neck  and  shoulder,  with  a  great 
heart-throb  of  thankfulness. 

No  one  remarked  on  Rene's  absence  at  the  dinner  table. 
It  was  a  jolly  family  gathering,  and  there  was  a  great 
deal  of  talk  about  what  was  going  on  in  the  City  and  the 
coming  election  and  the  return  of  Louis  to  college.  Jaque- 
line  would  go  with  him  and  pay  Aunt  Catharine  her  first 
visit,  that  she  was  very  urgent  about.  She  missed  the 
young  people  sadly,  she  admitted. 

They  also  discussed  a  tutor  for  the  younger  children. 
Although  education  had  not  taken  a  very  wide  range  for 
girls  as  yet,  the  necessity  was  beginning  to  be  felt. 
Ministers  appointed  abroad  would  want  intelligent  wives, 
and  even  now,  in  Washington,  foreigners  appeared  in  so 
ciety,  and  it  was  considered  an  accomplishment  to  talk 
French  and  to  be  entertaining. 

The  elders  went  to  take  an  afternoon  nap,  a  favorite 
habit  with  the  squire  when  he  could. 

"  Come,"  Charles  said  to  Annis,  "  let  us  go  down  under 
the  pines  and  read,"  and  she  was  nothing  loath.  The 
old  heroes  of  Froissart  were  like  fairyland  to  the  children. 
Then  there  were  marvelous  pictures,  the  roughest  kind  of 
woodcuts,  but  they  picked  out  their  heroes  with  great  sat 
isfaction. 

Annis  had  seen  few  books.  There  were  some  old 
French  volumes  belonging  to  her  father,  and  Patricia  had 
begun  to  teach  the  little  girl  as  a  solace  for  her  long  and 
often  wreary  hours.  This  was  a  garden  of  delight,  even 
if  Charles  did  puzzle  over  the  long  words  and  miscall 
them. 

Jane  took  Varina  home  with  her,  which  was  a  great 
source  of  elation  after  the  enforced  seclusion  of  the  day. 

33 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

She  gave  Annis  an  indifferent  nod  as  she  stepped  into 
the  carriage. 

"  You  must  be  a  good  little  girl  and  mind  Aunt  Jane," 
said  her  father. 

"  Children's  tiffs  are  natural,"  he  remarked  to  his  wife. 
"  Varina  has  been  the  baby  so  long  she  cannot  tolerate  a 
rival.  Years  ago  she  crowded  Charles  out  of  his  place." 

He  was  not  quite  sure  but  the  winsome  little  Annis, 
with  her  shy  sweet  ways  and  ready  interest,  was  the  more 
companionable.  Yet  he  must  not  be  disloyal  to  his  own. 

Were  they  all  on  her  side?  Annis  wondered.  And 
would  she  need  to  take  sides  anywhere?  She  was  very 
happy  and  content.  Louis  took  her  out  riding  on  Varina's 
pony.  She  demurred  at  first,  but  the  squire  promised 
to  look  up  a  suitable  one  for  her  in  a  day  or  two. 

The  new  wife  soon  became  settled  in  her  agreeable  sur 
roundings.  She  had  not  an  aggressive  nature,  and  the 
house  servants  soon  learned  that  her  rule  was  not  as  se 
vere  as  Miss  Catharine's,  while  quite  as  wise.  She  really 
desired  to  win  the  affection  of  her  husband's  children. 
Neighbors  were  near  enough  for  pleasant  rides  and 
drives.  There  was  much  hearty  sociability  among  these 
Virginian  people.  There  had  grown  up  a  certain  ease 
and  carelessness  since  the  strenuous  days  of  the  war. 
Though  finances  had  been  troublesome  and  grave  ques 
tions,  as  well  as  bitter  disputes,  had  come  to  the  forefront 
of  the  young  republic — in  spite  of  all  there  had  been  a  cer 
tain  degree  of  prosperity  on  the  large  estates,  where  nearly 
everything  was  raised  and  much  made  for  home  con 
sumption.  Georgetown  was  rather  a  thriving  and  fash 
ionable  place.  Bladensburg  was  quite  a  summer  resort, 
on  account  of  a  mineral  spring  many  thought  efficacious 
for  numerous  diseases.  Vessels  laden  with  tobacco  still 
sailed  from  its  wharves  down  the  Anacostia.  There  was 
the  noted  dueling-ground  also,  where  proud-spirited  men 

34 


APPLES   OF   DISCORD. 

went  to  satisfy  their  "  honor."  Around,  in  many  direc 
tions,  were  handsome  Colonial  mansions  with  picturesque 
grounds.  Washington  was  slowly  emerging  from  the 
chaos  of  unfinished  streets  and  buildings,  but  had  not  yet 
outgrown  the  flings  of  the  envious  and  disappointed. 
The  Capitol  shone  in  its  white  glory.  The  President's 
mansion  was  imposing  and  habitable,  though,  through 
the  administration,  it  had  been  graced  largely  by  Mrs. 
Madison,  the  charming  wife  of  the  secretary  of  state, 
and  one  of  her  sisters. 

When  Annis  Bouvier  went  over  with  her  mother  and 
stepfather  to  bring  home  Rene,  who  had  tired  of  the 
babies  and  was  longing  for  her  pony  and  the  larger  liberty, 
and,  perhaps,  her  disputes  with  Charles  and  the  teasing  of 
Louis,  as  well  as  the  merriment  of  her  sisters,  the  child 
stared  at  the  stately  row  of  buildings  that  quite  met  her 
idea  of  a  palace.  The  long  and  wide  avenues  running  off 
into  unfinished  spaces,  the  trees  already  beginning  to 
make  a  brave  show,  the  handsome  dwellings  here  and 
there  were  a  fair  augury  of  things  to  come,  and  seemed 
wonderful  to  her.  Out  in  the  settlement  it  had  been 
vaguely  speculated  upon.  Was  it  not  a  dream? 

They  drove  about  in  some  of  the  most  passable  streets. 
People  were  out  for  an  airing  this  pleasant  afternoon ; 
numbers  of  men  stood  in  groups  in  eager  discussion,  some 
gesticulating  quite  as  fiercely  as  Grandfather  Floyd  had 
done.  There  were  pretty  young  women  on  horseback, 
with  their  attendant  cavaliers,  laughing  and  jesting,  and 
a  few  boys  running  about.  The  broad  river,  with  its 
curves,  receiving  in  its  bosom  the  springs  and  rivulets 
and  edged  with  swaying  grasses  topping  into  feathery 
fronds,  while  multitudes  of  wild  flowers  sprinkled  the 
verdure  that,  from  its  moisture,  still  kept  the  greenness 
and  fresh  aspect  of  spring. 

"  Now  you  can  take  a  good  look  at  everything,"  said 

35 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

the  squire,  leaning  over  to  Annis.  "  We  hurried  through 
so,  and  it  was  nearly  dark  when  we  came  from  Balti 
more.  It  is  the  palace  of  our  republic." 

Annis  was  to  see  it  under  various  phases  and  to  spend 
a  night  of  terror  in  it,  then  to  watch  it  arise  from  the  ashes 
of  destruction.  But  she  could  always  recall  this  lovely 
afternoon  and  the  birds  flashing  hither  and  thither  in 
flame-color  and  gold — the  Maryland  yellow-throat,  the 
redbird,  with  his  high  cockade  and  his  bold,  soldier-like 
air.  Child  as  she  was,  the  beauty  of  all  things  touched 
her  deeply,  and  she  hardly  heard  Varina's  chatter  about 
what  she  had  done  and  where  she  had  been,  and  the 
spinet  at  Aunt  Jane's  house,  "  which  I  do  think  more  re 
fined  than  a  fiddle,"  declared  the  little  miss  disdainfully. 
"  A  lady  can  play  on  it.  Of  course  fiddling  is  the  right 
thing  to  dance  by,  and  it  seems  proper  enough  for  the 
slaves.  And  some  of  the  real  elegant  people  come  to 
Aunt  Jane's.  Your  mother  hasn't  any  gown  half  as 
pretty  as  they  wear." 

"  No,"  returned  Annis,  without  a  touch  of  envy. 

"  Jaqueline  is  to  have  some  new  gowns  to  go  to  Wil- 
liamsburg.  Oh,  I  just  wish  I  was  a  big  girl  and  could 
have  fine  things !  I  hate  being  little !  You  get  sent  out 
of  the  room  when  the  ladies  are  talking,  and  you  have  to 
go  to  bed  early,  and  you  can't  come  to  the  table  when  there 
is  company.  I  am  going  to  try  my  very  best  to  grow  and 
grow." 

Annis  wondered  whether  she  would  like  being  a  young 
lady.  Jacky  was  nice,  to  be  sure. 

Jaqueline  seemed  to  enjoy  it  very  much.  The  new  tu 
tor,  who  was  a  Mr.  Evans,  a  young  man,  was  to  take 
charge  of  the  girls'  studies,  as  well  as  those  of  Charles. 
Patricia  quite  envied  her  sister,  and  declared  French  was 
the  greatest  nuisance  that  had  ever  been  invented. 

"  You  don't  invent  a  language,"  corrected  Charles. 

36 


APPLES    OF   DISCORD. 

"  It  grows  by  slow  degrees  and  is  improved  upon  and 
perfected " 

"  It  was  just  sent  upon  the  world  at  the  Tower  of  Ba 
bel,"  interrupted  Patricia.  "  After  all,"  laughing — and 
a  laugh  always  came  to  end  Patty's  spurts  of  temper — "  it 
must  have  been  very  funny.  Think  of  a  man  asking  for 
— what  were  they  building  the  tower  out  of?  Bricks, 
wasn't  it?  and  water,  and  the  other  man  not  understand 
ing.  And  I  suppose  bread  had  a  dozen  new  queer  names, 
and  everything!  What  a  jabber  it  was!  And  that's 
where  the  languages  came  in,  Master  Charles,"  with  a 
note  of  triumph  in  her  clear,  breezy  voice. 

"  Just  wait  until  you  study  Latin  and  Greek !  " 

"  Girls  don't  have  to,  thank  fortune !  The  French  will 
destroy  my  constitution,  and,  unlike  the  United  States,  I 
haven't  any  by-laws,  so  I  shall  be  finished  out." 

"  There  have  been  some  learned  women  and  wonder 
ful  queens." 

"  I  can't  be  a  queen.  I  don't  want  to.  Think  of  poor 
Marie  Antoinette !  "  and  Patty  shivered.  "  I  might  marry 
someone  who  would  be  President,  but  it  is  doubtful.  No, 
like  Jacky,  I  shall  go  in  for  the  good  time." 

Charles  thought  there  was  not  much  comfort  talking  to 
girls,  except  Annis,  who  listened  with  attentive  eyes,  and 
asked  such  sensible  questions — as  if  she  really  wanted  to 
know  things.  The  very  first  day  the  boy  warmed  to  his 
tutor,  and  Mr.  Evans  was  quite  delighted  with  this 
small  scholar.  But,  as  the  trend  of  the  day  was 
then,  he  also  had  no  very  exalted  opinion  of  girls,  and 
considered  their  highest  honor  that  at  the  head  of  the 
household. 

The  great  trunk  in  the  storeroom  that  Aunt  Catharine 
went  through  religiously  once  a  year,  to  see  that  no  cor 
rupting  influences,  such  as  moth  or  rust,  should  gain  sur 
reptitious  entrance,  was  to  be  opened  now,  and  Jaque- 

37 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

line's  portion  of  her  dead  mother's  treasures  bestowed 
upon  her.  Aunt  Catharine  had  divided  them  as  equally 
as  possible,  and  done  them  up  in  separate  parcels  for  each 
girl.  In  her  early  married  life  Mrs.  Mason  had  made  a 
visit  to  Paris,  while  Franklin  was  still  abroad.  There 
had  been  a  sojourn  in  London  as  well,  and  she  had 
brought  home  enough  to  last  her  brief  life  and  to  descend 
to  her  children.  Mrs.  Conway  specified  which  gowns 
should  be  refashioned  a  little  for  her  niece  and  what  of 
her  mother's  jewels  it  would  be  proper  for  her  to  wear. 
Jaqueline  would  fain  have  confiscated  all. 

"Do  as  your  aunt  advises,"  said  her  father,  with  a  sound 
of  authority  in  his  -tone  not  to  be  gainsaid.  "  She  was 
always  a  woman  of  good  sense  until  she  took  up  with 
those  ultra  views  of  religion,  and  Conway.  She  was  so 
settled  in  her  ways,  too,  that  no  one  would  have  dreamed 
it,  either;  but  there's  no  telling  what  a  woman  will  do 
until  she's  past  doing.  And  it's  natural  for  them  to 
marry.  But  Catharine  could  have  had  her  pick  in  her 
youth.  She  held  her  head  mighty  high  then." 

There  was  no  little  confusion  getting  the  two  young 
people  ready.  Louis  brushed  up  some  studies  with  Mr. 
Evans,  for  his  summer  had  been  one  of  careless  fun  and 
good-fellowship  with  the  neighboring  young  men.  Still, 
he  was  ambitious  to  stand  well  and  not  drop  behind  his 
last  year's  record.  Then  they  had  to  go  up  and  bid 
grandmother  good-by,  and  there  were  neighborhood  gath 
erings  quite  as  important  as  if  these  young  people  were 
going  to  the  unexplored  wilds  of  Africa. 

Their  departure  made  a  sudden  hiatus.  With  so 
many  people  in  the  house  and  on  the  plantation,  it  did  not 
seem  as  if  two  could  be  so  sincerely  regretted.  Every 
slave,  from  Homer  down  to  the  rollicking  pickaninnies, 
bemoaned  "  Mas'r  Louis  " ;  and  Mammy  Phil,  who  had 
nursed  every  one  of  the  "  chillens,"  had  a  double  dose  of 

38 


APPLES    OF   DISCORD. 

sorrow,  and  so  many  reminiscences  that  Patricia  was 
provoked. 

"  As  if  there  were  never  any  children  in  the  world  but 
Louis  and  Jaqueline !  "  she  flung  out  with  some  vexation. 
"  Mammy,  you  wouldn't  make  as  much  fuss  if  I  was  go 
ing  to  be  buried." 

"  'Fore  de  Lord,  chile,  dat  would  break  Mammy's  heart 
cl'ar  in  two !  You  can't  'member  how  de  joy  went  roun' 
in  all  de  cabins  when  young  mas'r  had  a  son  born  to  be 
de  heir.  Why  de  'clar'  o'  peace  wan't  nuffin  to  it !  " 

"  I  shouldn't  think  I  could  remember  that !  "  said  the 
girl,  with  great  dignity  and  a  withering  accent,  "  seeing 
as  I  was  not  in  the  rejoicing.  You  are  getting  old  and 
doted,  mammy ! " 

The  old  slave  woman  wiped  her  eyes.  But  to  her  com 
fort  she  had  found  a  delightful  listener  in  little  Annis, 
who  never  wearied  of  the  family  legends,  and  who  studied 
the  portraits  in  the  great  drawing  room  with  a  mysterious 
sort  of  awe.  There  was  a  cavalier  of  the  times  of  the 
first  Charles,  with  his  slashed  doublet,  his  Vandyke  collar 
and  cuffs  of  what  had  been  snowy  linen  and  elegant  lace, 
and  his  picturesque  hat  with  its  long  plume:  a  sharp- 
featured,  handsome  face  in  spite  of  a  certain  languid  in 
difference.  There  was  another  in  a  suit  of  green  cam 
let,  richly  laced,  and  the  great  periwig  of  close-curled 
rings.  The  hand,  almost  covered  with  costly  lace  ruffles, 
rested  lightly  on  the  jeweled  hilt  of  the  rapier  that  hung 
at  his  side.  There  were  two  plainer  men :  one  suggestive 
of  Puritan  times ;  one,  round,  rosy,  quite  modern  in  the 
half-Continental  costume,  that  one  would  easily  guess  was 
the  squire  in  his  youth.  Beside  it  was  Mistress  Mason 
in  her  wedding  gown  of  satin  trimmed  with  a  perfect 
cloud  of  Venice  point,  a  stomacher  set  with  precious 
stones,  and  a  brocaded  petticoat.  Like  a  soft  mist  a  veil 
floated  about  her  exquisite  shoulders,  fastened  at  the  top 

39 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

with  a  diamond  clasp.  There  was  the  beauty  of  the  Ver- 
neys  and  the  Carringtons  in  her  face. 

"  That  is  our  own  mother,"  said  Varina  as  she  was 
showing  Annis  the  ancestors  of  the  house.  "  She  is  a 
great  deal  handsomer  than  your  mother,  and  yours  has 
no  such  fine  gowns.  This  has  been  laid  away,  and  we 
shall  all  wear  it  as  a  wedding  gown  when  our  turn  comes. 
Aunt  Catharine  said  once  there  was  a  fortune  in  the  lace. 
Has  your  mother  nothing  ?  " 

"  She  has  a  string  of  pearls  and  some  beautiful  rings, 
but  I  have  never  seen  any  gowns." 

"  And  she  is  not  handsome,"  declared  the  young  miss 
with  a  decisive  air. 

"  She  is  beautiful  to  me,  and  sweet  and  kind,  and  loves 
me,"  replied  Annis  with  a  swelling  heart. 

"  Well — our  mother  loved  us.  It  was  very  cruel  in 
God  to  take  her  away.  I  would  a  hundred  times  rather 
have  her  than  your  mother." 

"  I  am  sorry  she  is  gone.  Everybody  must  love  her 
own  mother  the  best." 

The  tone  was  sweet  at  the  beginning  and  confident  at 
the  end,  yet  it  hardly  suited  the  daughter  of  the  house. 

"  You  would  not  have  been  here,  then,"  triumphantly. 

"  No.  But  we  should  have  left  the  settlement  and 
come  to  Baltimore.  I  liked  it  there.  And  there  was  a 
kindly  old  lady  who  begged  mother  to  leave  me  with  her, 
but  your  father  said  '  Nay '  quite  sharply.  And  at  first 
she  would  not  consent  to  the  marriage." 

There  had  been  some  jesting  discussion  at  the  Carring 
tons'.  Annis  had  not  clearly  understood  it. 

"  But  she  would  have  had  to.  Father  makes  people  do 
his  way.  He  is  the  master  of  everything." 

Annis  was  silent.  She  did  not  yet  clearly  understand 
the  mystery,  but  she  sometimes  thought  she  would  be 
glad  to  go  back  to  the  settlement  and  have  her  mother  all 

40 


APPLES    OF   DISCORD. 

to  herself.  Something  seemed  to  come  between  con 
tinually.  There  were  numerous  cares  for  the  housewife 
on  so  large  a  plantation,  with  children  and  servants,  visi 
tors  and  a  rather  exigent  husband. 

There  were  many  beautiful  articles  and  curiosities  in 
the  great  drawing  room.  But  Annis  liked  Charles  better 
as  a  guide.  They  never  jarred  upon  each  other,  and 
he  had  no  jealousy.  Then,  he  really  liked  his  new 
mother. 

Varina  cared  little  for  books.  Besides  the  worn  Frois- 
sart  there  was  a  copy  of  Captain  John  Smith's  adventures, 
which  were  wonderful  to  both  children,  and  here  Annis 
could  supply  many  queries  about  the  Indians,  who  were 
rapidly  disappearing  from  this  vicinity.  Gentle  and  quiet 
as  Charles  was,  he  had  a  great  desire  for  adventure,  and 
a  soldier's  life  appeared  very  heroic  to  him.  But  the  War 
of  the  Revolution  seemed  ages  ago  to  the  younger  people, 
though  the  slaves  often  gathered  about  the  brushwood 
fires  and  related  stirring  scenes  almost  as  if  they  had  been 
eyewitnesses. 

Christmas  was  a  great  festival.  At  nearly  every 
plantation  there  was  a  gathering  of  neighbors  and 
friends,  and  in  some  houses  visits  of  days,  when 
extra  guests  were  invited  to  dinner  and  a  dance  given  for 
the  young  people.  And  though  the  exchange  of  gifts 
had  none  of  the  costly  features  of  the  present  day,  there 
was  much  real  affection  and  generosity.  Annis  thought 
it  delightful.  There  was  an  influx  of  cousins,  with  some 
little  girls  who  were  very  merry  and  who  found  Annis 
quite  charming. 

It  had  been  planned  for  Jaqueline  to  return,  but  no  re 
liable  acquaintance  seemed  ready  to  undertake  the  jour 
ney.  Truth  to  tell,  Jaqueline  was  tasting  the  sweets  of 
incipient  bellehood,  and  was  quite  a  prize  to  the  young 
collegians.  His  parish  duties  not  being  very  onerous,  the 

41 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Reverend  Conway  added  to  them  a  professorship  in  the 
college,  and  the  rectory  was  quite  a  center  of  society. 
What  with  frequent  guests  and  the  care  of  two  small 
girls,  Mrs.  Conway  found  her  hands  quite  full,  and  un 
able  to  restrict  her  nieces'  pleasures  to  her  own  ideas  of 
what  was  advisable.  Then,  she  was  glad  to  have  the  gay, 
lively  girl,  who  was  ready  to  sing  at  anyone's  bidding, 
and  had  a  gracious  way  with  the  elders  as  well  as  the 
young.  She  had  often  longed  for  the  children  of  this 
first  motherhood,  though  she  accepted  her  new  duties  in  a 
satisfactory  manner. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

A    NEW    PRESIDENT. 

inaugurations  at  New  York  and  Philadelphia 
had  been  marked  with  a  certain  degree  of  pomp  and 
stateliness.  The  first  one  in  Washington  had  been  simple 
almost  to  indifference.  There  had  preceded  it  a  bitter 
campaign,  and  the  Federalists  kept  the  peace  with  a  silent 
dignity  that  was  chilling  in  the  extreme.  Mr.  Adams 
left  Washington  at  once.  And  the  city  then  was  in  a  dis 
mal  stage,  with  few  improvements  perfected.  There  was 
really  no  accommodation  for  visitors,  and  many  still  be 
lieved  the  Capital  would  be  removed.  They  delighted  to 
call  it  "The  Wilderness  City,"  "Capital  of  Miserable 
Huts,"  and  "  A  mudhole  almost  equal  to  the  great  Ser- 
bonian  bog."  Mrs.  Abigail  Adams  had  not  been  charmed 
with  the  White  House  nor  the  city.  The  great  marsh 
stretched  out  in  a  most  forbidding  and  discouraging  man 
ner.  Piles  of  rubbish  and  heaps  of  stone,  with  unsightly 
masses  of  timber,  gave  the  place  anything  but  a  homelike 

42 


A   NEW   PRESIDENT. 

aspect.  There  was  no  accommodation  for  the  wives  of 
congressmen  if  they  had  chosen  to  come.  Gay  New  York 
and  charming  Philadelphia  disdained  Washington. 

Eight  years  had  changed  much  of  this.  True,  George 
town  was  more  attractive  and  growing  faster,  but  streets 
were  beginning  to  be  cleared  up,  mudholes  filled  in,  walks 
laid,  and  handsome  houses  erected.  The  wife  of  the  sec 
retary  of  state,  charming  Dolly  Madison,  had  healed 
many  differences,  and  Mrs.  Madison's  drawing  room 
was  a  favorite  resort  for  senators,  ministers,  and  diplo 
mats.  She  was  often  asked  to  preside  at  the  White 
House.  Mrs.  Randolph,  the  President's  daughter,  on  her 
very  first  visit  had  been  delighted  with  her,  and  the  two 
became  lifelong  friends. 

Her  bright  and  vivacious  sister,  Anna  Payne,  had  added 
no  little  zest  to  social  life,  and  her  marriage  had  been 
quite  an  event  in  the  slowly  growing  city.  The  Van  Ness 
mansion  was  also  the  scene  of  much  gayety.  Old  Vir 
ginia  belles  came  up  for  a  few  weeks,  and  there  were  balls 
and  parties  at  Georgetown,  and  no  end  of  tea  drinkings. 
The  young  women  found  plenty  of  cavaliers,  and  when 
riding  was  possible  gay  parties  sallied  out,  stopping  at 
some  country  inn  for  midday  refreshments. 

And  though  there  were  many  grave  questions  pending, 
this  promised  to  be  a  day  of  unwonted  satisfaction.  For 
the  first  time  great  preparations  were  made.  Washington 
and  Georgetown  people  invited  friends,  as  in  those  days 
people  were  given  to  hospitality. 

Mrs.  Jettson  had  kept  her  sister  Marian  a  large  part  of 
the  winter,  much  to  Dolly's  discomfiture,  but  Mr.  Floyd 
had  sent  for  Marian  and  refused  them  both  the  antici 
pated  pleasure  of  the  inauguration. 

Jaqueline  had  come  home  an  undeniable  young  lady, 
with  her  hair  done  high  on  her  head  and  sundry  touches 
in  her  attire  that  made  her  very  attractive  and  coquettish. 

43 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

There  was  great  rejoicing,  from  least  to  greatest,  much 
envying  on  Patricia's  part,  much  delight  on  Varina's  and 
Charles',  and  a  pretty,  shy,  winsome  admiration  from 
Annis. 

There  was  of  course  the  duty  visit  to  the  Pineries. 
Then  Jaqueline  came  down  to  her  Aunt  Jane's. 

"  I'd  planned  such  a  delightful  time !  "  declared  Mrs. 
Jettson,  between  satisfaction  and  vexation.  "  There  is  to 
be  a  gay  season,  with  balls  and  parties  and  dinners.  And, 
really,  the  young  men  are  getting  to  be  quite  factors  in 
society.  I  wanted  both  the  girls  and  you ;  and,  Jaqueline, 
you've  grown  monstrously  pretty,  and  your  manners  have 
improved  so  much  that  you  might  be  fresh  from  London 
or  Paris.  There  have  been  so  many  fine  people  here  the 
last  two  or  three  years,  and  building  is  going  on  at  a  rapid 
rate.  Philadelphia  and  New  York  will  not  be  able  to  look 
down  on  us  much  longer.  I  meant  to  give  you  young 
people  a  dance  and  supper,  and  father  won't  let  the  girls 
come.  Marian  was  mad  as  a  hornet,  and  poor  Dolly 
stamped  around.  Father  grows  queerer  about  them.  But 
/  wanted  the  company  as  well.  I'm  not  an  old  woman,  if 
I  have  two  babies.  And  I'm  quite  sure  it  will  be  a  success 
if  you  will  come." 

"  Of  course  I  shall  be  delighted.  Why,  it's  just  charm 
ing  !  "  and  the  pretty  face  was  alight  with  smiles. 

"  I  shall  ask  all  the  folks  up  for  the  grand  event.  You 
see,  brother  Randolph  is  a  true  Madison  man.  And,  do 
you  know,  I  like  your  new  mother  wonderfully.  She  is 
quite  like  an  elder  sister,  and  you'll  have  a  fine  time. 
You'll  be  just  spoiled,"  laughingly.  "  But  you're  not  to 
call  me  Aunt  Jane  any  more.  I  won't  have  it  from  a  tall 
girl  like  you,  who  will  no  doubt  be  married  herself  next 
winter.  How  many  disconsolates  did  you  leave  at  Wil- 
liamsburg?  " 

"  None,  I  think,  so  deeply  smitten  but  that  a  course  of 

44 


A   NEW   PRESIDENT. 

Greek  and  Latin  will  restore  them.  I  did  have  a  splendid 
time,  though  Aunt  Catharine  would  persist  in  consider 
ing  me  about  twelve.  It  was  positively  funny.  But  I  had 
Louis  to  manage  for  me.  Oh,  Jane,  I'm  awfully  sorry 
about  the  girls !  They  cried  with  disappointment.  And 
they  did  not  know  about  the  party !  " 

"  No,  I  hadn't  the  cruelty  to  speak  of  that.  But  I'll 
whisper  to  you,  Jaqueline,  and  you  must  not  breathe  it. 
Somebody  here  has  taken  a  tremendous  fancy  to  Marian. 
He  is  well  connected,  a  young  civil  engineer,  and  a  militia 
lieutenant ;  but  we  are  afraid  father  will  blaze  out  and  per 
haps  refuse  to  listen.  He  has  quite  set  his  heart  on 
Marian  marrying  their  next  neighbor,  that  Mr.  Greaves 
who  lost  his  wife  last  summer  and  has  no  one  to  look  after 
his  four  children  but  the  slave  mammy.  And  Marian 
just  hates  him.  The  idea!  Oh,  Jaqueline,  it  is  just  com 
forting  to  have  someone  to  talk  to,  a  young  person  that 
you  can  say  anything  to !  " 

"  Marian  told  me.  Of  course  there  is  the  fine  estate 
and  the  slaves.  I  do  suppose  old  people  think  a  great 
deal  of  that,"  and  there  was  a  touch  of  regretful  wisdom 
that  sat  oddly  upon  the  young  girl.  "  And  four  children ! 
I  wouldn't  want  'em." 

"  A  young  girl  has  no  business  with  another  woman's 
children.  I  want  you  to  see  this  young  man.  And  I  want 
to  get  your  father  interested.  I  think  after  a  little  I'll 
bring  it  about." 

"  Mr.  Greaves  doesn't  seem  very  " — Jaqueline  knit  her 
pretty  brows,  thinking  of  the  fervent  tones  and  impas 
sioned  glances  that  had  marked  her  victorious  sway — 
"  very  deeply  smitten.  He  and  grandfather  talked  poli 
tics  and  war  all  the  evening." 

"  But  he  means  business.  He  has  asked  for  her.  He 
thinks  it  only  respectful  to  wait  a  year  before  beginning 
his  new  addresses.  So  we  have  until  July." 

45 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  I  wouldn't  marry  him,"  declared  Jaqueline  with  much 
vigor. 

"  I  dare  say  your  father  will  be  easy  enough  about 
lovers  if  they  are  of  the  right  kind.  Don't  be  in  a  hurry. 
Have  a  good  time  first.  You  are  so  young." 

Mrs.  Jettson  had  insisted  upon  taking  in  the  whole 
family,  and  they  came  the  evening  before,  being  comfort 
ably  stowed  away,  although  some  of  Mrs.  Mason's  rela 
tives  who  had  lately  come  to  Washington  insisted  upon 
sharing  the  honors. 

Annis  and  Charles  had  been  much  interested,  and  ques 
tioned  Mr.  Evans  in  every  conceivable  manner  as  to  what 
it  was  for,  and  why  America  did  not  have  a  king  or  an 
emperor.  Patricia  was  bubbling  over  with  delight. 

Fortunately  the  day  was  fair,  and  everything  seemed 
auspicious.  Salutes  of  cannon  were  fired  from  the  navy 
yard  at  dawn,  and  responded  to  from  Fort  Warburton. 
The  militia  from  Alexandria  and  Georgetown,  in  fine  ar 
ray,  marched  into  the  city  to  escort  the  new  President  to 
the  Capitol.  Thousands  of  people  gathered  along  the 
way,  and  there  was  a  great  hurrahing,  emphasized  by  the 
waving  of  hats  and  handkerchiefs.  Mr.  Mason  and 
his  wife  and  the  two  younger  children  were  in  a 
carriage,  while  the  two  girls  went  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jettson. 

Annis  looked  out  curiously  at  the  scene.  There  was  the 
tall  form  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  quite  in  contrast  with  the 
smaller  one  of  his  friend,  who  bore  himself  with  becom 
ing  dignity.  At  twelve  Mr.  Madison  reverently  took  the 
oath  of  office  and  made  his  inaugural  address,  when  the 
cheers  and  enthusiasm  became  deafening.  It  was  the  first 
really  grand  ceremony  of  the  kind  that  Washington  had 
witnessed. 

And  now  the  new  President  reviewed  the  array  of 
Soldiers,  and  eager  interest  marked  every  step.  It  was  in- 

46 


A   NEW   PRESIDENT. 

deed  a  gala  day.  Many  people  were  driving  around  in 
their  carriages,  enjoying  the  sunshine  and  the  crowd. 

Then  the  President,  with  most  of  the  officers  and  sena 
tors,  returned  to  his  home,  where  Mrs.  Madison  had  pre 
pared  tables  of  refreshments  for  all  who  chose  to  call  and 
pay  their  respects  to  the  new  magistrate. 

A  fine  young  fellow  in  Continental  uniform  paused  at 
the  carriage  of  the  Jettsons,  and  greeted  them  cordially. 

"  This  is  something  like,"  he  said.  "  Simplicity  may 
be  very  good  in  its  way,  when  one  cannot  help  himself, 
but  the  nation  ought  to  honor  its  ruler.  I  am  proud  to 
be  in  it." 

Mrs.  Jettson  turned  and  introduced  Mr.  Ralston  to  the 
girls,  who  smilingly  acknowledged  his  presence. 

"  Then  you  could  not  persuade  Miss  Floyd  ?  "  and  he 
glanced  up  wistfully. 

"  Father  is  not  quite  in  accord  with  the  administration, 
and  he  would  not  consent  to  her  return." 

"  I  am  desperately  sorry.  I  managed  at  the  eleventh 
hour,  which  was  early  this  morning,  to  get  a  ticket  to  the 
ball.  Some  dear  friends  of  mine  would  have  been  de 
lighted  to  chaperone  Miss  Floyd,  if  she  could  have  con 
sented  to  so  short  a  notice.  And  there  will  be  so  many 
festivities !  " 

"  I  regret  it  deeply,"  returned  Mrs.  Jettson.  "  What 
a  shame !  "  she  said  to  her  husband  when  Mr.  Ralston  had 
left  them.  "  At  Long's  there  could  be  only  a  given  num 
ber  accommodated.  And  to  have  missed  such  a  fine  array 
of  people !  I  should  like  to  be  there  myself." 

The  ball  was  considered  quite  a  sumptuous  affair.  A 
host  of  beautiful  women  in  their  most  elegant  attire,  mili 
tary  men  who  had  not  laid  aside  their  trappings  "  in  the 
piping  times  of  peace,"  and  the  brilliant  uniforms  of  the 
different  legations,  made  a  picture  quite  worthy  of  the 
young  Capital.  Mrs.  Madison,  in  her  robe  of  yellow  velvet, 

47 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

her  Paris  turban  with  its  bird-of-paradise  plume,  her  neck 
and  arms  adorned  with  pearls,  dispensed  her  smiles  and 
greetings  with  the  wonderful  tact  and  sweetness  which 
were  never  to  desert  her ;  jest  and  repartee  ran  round  the 
circle;  and  Mr.  Jefferson  shone  in  his  genial  cordiality. 
Someone  remarked  upon  his  gayety,  and  the  gravity  of 
the  new  incumbent. 

"  Can  you  wonder  at  it?  "  he  asked.  "  My  shoulders 
have  just  been  freed  from  a  burden  of  cares ;  he  is  just 
beginning  to  assume  them."  Yet  he  gave  his  friend  a 
glance  of  sympathy  and  tenderness  that  indicated  a  con 
tinuance  of  the  lifelong  friendship. 

Some  glowing  accounts  of  the  ball  found  their  way  to 
different  papers,  and  it  seemed  as  if  Washington  was  sud 
denly  looming  into  conspicuousness. 

The  children  were  tired  with  the  day's  pleasures  and 
ready  to  go  bed.  But  the  next  morning  they  were 
eager  to  inspect  the  Capitol. 

Mrs.  Adams'  plaint  about  it  still  held  good  in  many 
respects.  The  wings  alone  had  a  finished  aspect.  There 
were  the  Senate  Chamber  and  House  of  Representatives, 
the  nuclei  of  many  things  to  come.  But  to  Charles  and 
Annis,  who  looked  at  it  through  the  romantic  eyes  of 
childhood,  enlarged  by  their  rather  narrow  reading,  it  was 
grand. 

The  two  elder  girls  were  more  interested  in  Jane's  party. 
There  were  some  of  the  younger  representatives,  not 
averse  to  dancing  with  pretty  girls  and  having  a  merry 
time  while  they  were  off  duty.  If  Philadelphia  and  New 
York  rather  disdained  the  social  pleasures  of  the  newer 
city,  it  was  a  great  favorite  with  the  more  southern  States  ; 
and  Virginia  did  all  honor  to  her  fine  line  of  Presidents. 

For,  after  all,  the  provincialism  was  not  so  marked. 
There  were  people  who  dared  the  voyage  to  Europe  with 
as  much  complacency  as  the  steam  traveler  of  to-day,  and 

48 


A    NEW    PRESIDENT. 

who  studied  the  best  Europe  had  to  offer.  Young  men 
were  sent  abroad  for  education ;  not  a  few  young  women 
had  a  year  or  two  of  finishing  abroad.  There  were  noted 
foreigners,  too,  who  left  an  impress  on  society:  Albert 
Gallatin  and  his  charming  wife,  the  learned  Swiss  scholar 
and  the  American  girl  who  had  grafted  some  delightful 
foreign  ways  on  a  very  thorough  foundation  of  patriotic 
culture.  Mrs.  Monroe  was  a  famous  New  York  beauty 
who  had  lost  her  heart  to  Virginia,  and  the  Vice  President 
was  from,  the  northern  State  that  was  slowly  accepting 
the  new  city.  There  were  foreign  ministers  and  their 
wives  who  accepted  the  republican  methods  and  the  dig 
nified  simplicity,  if  it  did  lack  the  stately  elements  of  the 
courts  abroad. 

Mr.  Arthur  Jettson  was  one  of  the  enthusiasts,  and  al 
ready  saw  great  possibilities  for  the  infant  city.  On  the 
staff  of  engineers  and  largely  interested  in  building,  he, 
laid  the  plans  of  the  future  before  new  acquaintances  and 
had  the  good  fortune  to  interest  many.  Old  David  Burns 
had  already  made  a  great  fortune  in  shrewd  land  specu 
lations.  And  although  the  Presidential  mansion  was  to 
ward  the  eastward,  there  were  many  who  argued  that  the 
trend  would  be  more  westward.  There  was  Georgetown, 
a  really  thriving  place,  whose  gravity  did  not  depend  on 
Congress  in  session. 

He  had  already  persuaded  Mr.  Mason  to  make  some  in 
vestments,  though  the  elder  man  shook  his  head  rather 
ruefully  at  the  unpromising  aspect  as  they  drove  around. 

Jaqueline  and  Patricia  were  much  more  interested  in 
the  invitations  to  the  party.  But  the  day  after  the  inaug 
uration  Lieutenant  Ralston  came  in,  though  now  in 
citizen's  attire,  with  an  eager  manner  and  sparkling 
eyes. 

"  I  wonder  if  you  could  be  induced  to  take  the  young 
ladies  to  a  reception  to-morrow  evening?"  he  inquired. 

49 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  It  will  be  rather  informal  and  a  crush,  to  be  sure,  but 
they  will  be  able  to  see  both  Presidents,  though  not  the 
White  House.  That  will  come  later  on.  Next  week  the 
Madisons  will  no  doubt  be  domiciled  there.  If  you  would 
prefer  waiting " 

"  Oh,  no !  "  replied  Mrs.  Jettson.  "  The  crowd  will  be 
well  worth  seeing.  I  do  not  despise  crowds,"  laughingly. 
"  Did  you  go  to  the  ball  ?  " 

"  Yes,  with  some  brother  officers,  and  wishing  all  the 
while  your  sister  could  have  been  there.  It  was  an  ele 
gant  scene,  I  assure  you.  I  am  proud  of  the  beauty  of  my 
countrywomen.  Mrs.  Madison  has  been  accustomed  to 
honors,  to  be  sure,  but  this  was  in  a  new  role,  as  chief  lady 
in  her  own  right.  And  she  graced  the  occasion.  She  is 
charming.  We  shall  have  a  brilliant  administration  in 
spite  of  the  perplexities.  Well — you  will  go,  then  ?  " 

"  We  cannot  afford  to  miss  it.  Mr.  Mason  talks  of  re 
turning  in  a  day  or  two." 

"  I  have  hardly  seen  the  young  ladies.  Can  you  not 
lay  an  embargo  on  them  ?  " 

"  I  shall  try,  for  my  own  sake,"  she  returned  laughingly. 
"  Thanks  for  your  trouble." 

"  It  is  a  pleasure  to  me." 

The  party  had  gone  out  for  views  of  Washington  and 
an  inspection  of  the  Capitol.  When  they  returned  Jaque- 
line  ran  up  to  Jane's  room,  her  face  beaming  with  interest, 
since  she  had  been  introduced  to  several  representatives. 
Mrs.  Jettson  looked  up  from  a  pile  of  finery. 

"  You  suggest  a  hollyhock  in  brilliant  array,"  said 
Jaqueline  mirthfully.  "  Are  you  going  to  hold  an  auc 
tion?" 

Jane  gave  a  half-amused  sigh.  "  You  have  had  an  invi 
tation  out,  and  there  is  very  little  time  to  prepare.  I  am 
trying  to  think  what  can  be  altered.  There  is  my  pink 
paduasoy  with  the  race  ruffles.  I  cannot  get  into  the  waist 

50 


A    NEW   PRESIDENT. 

any  more,  but  you  are  so  slim.    Just  try  it  on.    Anything 
will  do  for  a  child  like  Patty." 

"  But  where  to  in  such  fine  feather  ?  " 

"  To  the  Madisons'.  Not  a  regular  levee — something 
much  more  informal.  Lieutenant  Ralston  has  it  in  hand. 
I  have  my  new  brocade  and  the  embroidered  petticoat. 
We  can  take  this  gown  over  to  Mrs.  Walker's,  and  coax 
her  to  make  it  more  youthful.  I  haven't  worn  it  since 
Floyd  was  a  baby." 

Jaqueline  hurried  off  her  woolen  frock  and  slipped  into 
the  pretty  silken  garment.  The  skirt  answered,  but  the 
bodice  needed  considerable  alteration. 

"  And  I  thought  I  was  slim ;  Jack,  you  have  an  elegant 
figure.  Now  we  must  go  at  once  to  Mrs.  Walker's,  or  it 
may  be  too  late.  It's  just  down  Pennsylvania  Avenue. 
Scipio  will  take  it  for  us,  and  we  will  go  over  and  do  the 
marketing.  You  will  like  the  pink,  won't  you  ?  It's  very 
becoming." 

"  Oh,  how  good  you  are !  Yes,  I  just  adore  it.  Do  you 
really  mean  me  to  have  it  ?  How  can  I  thank  you  ?  " 

Jaqueline  patted  and  caressed  it  with  her  soft  fingers. 

"  I  did  mean  it  for  Dolly,  but  father  is  so  queer  about 
things — and  gowns.  He  and  mother  keep  in  the  same 
little  round,  with  the  same  friends,  and  think  that  it  is 
all-sufficient  for  the  girls.  And  I'm  so  afraid  Marian  will 
give  in  to  the  constant  dropping  that  is  said  to  wear  away 
the  stone.  Jacky  dear,"  in  an  almost  plaintive  tone, 
"  won't  you  be — that  is — I  mean — I  can't  think  just  how 
to  put  it — only  you  won't  try  to  win  away  Lieutenant  Ral 
ston,  will  you,  dear?  I've  set  my  heart  on  his  making  a 
match  with  Marian.  You're  so  pretty  and  coquettish !  " 

The  color  came  and  went  in  Mrs.  Jettson's  face,  and  her 
voice  dropped  to  a  pleading  cadence. 

"  Why,  no !    But  what  has  he  to  do  with " 

"  Oh,  he  brought  the  invitation !    He  knows  just  how 

5* 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

to  bring  about  everything.  And  the  Ralstons  are  delight 
ful  people — well-to-do  and  all  that.  Marian  would  be  so 
happy !  It  is  a  shame  she  isn't  here.  But  we  must  not 
dawdle.  Get  into  your  coat  and  hat  again." 

Scipio,  the  butler  and  upper  servant,  came  with  his 
best  bow  and  put  the  parcel  carefully  into  the  big  basket, 
covering  the  delicate  stuff  with  a  napkin.  Then  he  trotted 
along  behind  the  two  ladies,  looking  as  if  weighty  mat 
ters  devolved  upon  him. 

Mrs.  Walker  kept  three  rooms  upstairs.  In  the  front 
one  she  displayed  her  goods :  silks,  velvets  and  laces,  flow 
ers  and  feathers.  She  had  laid  in  a  new  and  extensive 
stock.  Two  or  three  women  were  chaffering.  But  Mrs. 
Walker  left  them  presently,  and  when  she  heard  the  er 
rand  summoned  them  into  the  adjoining  room.  Jaqueline 
hated  to  leave  the  beautiful  show  on  which  her  eyes  had 
feasted. 

And  though  women  were  fond  enough  of  gay  attire 
shipped  from  London  and  Paris,  and  Belgium  frippery 
and  laces  when  they  could  get  them,  they  were  beginning 
to  think  it  was  not  always  necessary  to  send  to  Philadel 
phia  or  to  New  York.  And  to  her  stock  of  materials  Mrs. 
Walker  had  added  a  workroom,  not  so  much  for  the  mak 
ing  of  garments  as  the  altering  and  refurbishing  of  party 
gowns,  caps,  and  turbans. 

Jaqueline  was  put  in  the  pink  gown  again,  and  when 
Mrs.  Walker  looked  her  over  she  decided  upon  the  sort  of 
bodice  there  must  be  for  a  young  girl,  and  promised  to 
have  it  done  the  next  afternoon.  Scipio  would  come 
for  it. 

Center  Market  was  the  only  place  of  account  to  house 
hold  purveyors.  They  went  thither  followed  by  the  slave, 
meeting  other  ladies  with  an  obsequious  attendant. 
Marketing  was  one  of  the  duties  of  a  good  housewife. 
Some  had  come  in  their  carriages.  There  was  an  ex- 

52 


A   NEW    PRESIDENT. 

change  of  friendliness,  as  is  often  the  case  in  the  infancy 
of  towns,  and  some  bits  of  family  gossip,  some  refer 
ences  to  the  ball  at  Long's  Hotel. 

All  the  others  had  come  in  when  they  returned.  Charles 
had  his  brain  full  of  marvels.  Varina  was  tired  and  cross. 

"  I  shall  have  to  send  you  back  home,"  declared  her 
father.  "  Indeed,  perhaps  we  had  all  better  go  to-morrow. 
We  are  to  take  supper  to-night  with  the  Carringtons, 
over  at  Georgetown.  Jaqueline  and  Patty,  you  must  go 
with  us — that  was  Madam  Carrington's  orders.  She  has 
not  seen  you  in  a  long  while." 

Annis  crept  around  to  her  mother  and  took  her  hand, 
looking  up  wistfully.  It  seemed  as  if  everyone  wanted 
her  mother. 

*'  No,  you  can't  go  to-morrow,"  said  Mrs.  Jettson. 
"  At  least,  the  girls  cannot.  They  have  a  state  invitation, 
and  I  have  been  to  get  a  proper  gown  for  Jaqueline,"  and 
she  laughed  mischievously. 

"  Jane !  "  said  the  squire  sharply ;  "  what  nonsense ! 
Jaqueline  has  gowns  and  frocks  and  fal-lals  enough.  You 
will  make  her  vainer  than  a  peacock.  What  is  this  invita 
tion,  pray  ?  " 

"  To  pay  our  respects  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Madison.  Dear 
me,  Randolph,  think  how  father  would  rail  at  such  repub 
lican  crowds  as  have  haunted  the  place  to  see  plain  Mr. 
President !  They  are  to  move  to  the  White  House  early 
next  week,  when  Mr.  Jefferson  goes  to  Monticello;  and 
then,  no  doubt,  there  will  be  more  state.  But  the  Madi- 
sons  have  always  kept  such  an  open,  hospitable  house,  and 
welcomed  guests  so  charmingly." 

"  Jane,  you  are  getting  to  be  an  astute  politician.  Nov 
doubt  Arthur  has  his  eye  on  some  street  or  creek  or 
stream  for  improvement,  and  is  engineering  a  grant 
through  the  House.  Not  but  what  Washington  needs  it 
badly  enough.  There's  muddy  old  Tiber,  and  lanes  full  of 

53 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

pitfalls,  and  last  year's  weeds  like  battalions  of  an  army. 
Well,  I  must  not  grumble,  for  I  have  a  finger  in  the  pie. 
Virginia  Avenue,  for  all  its  high-sounding  name,  is  a  dis 
grace  to  the  State  standing  sponsor  for  it ;  and  I  am  quite 
sure  my  money  is  buried  in  bogs.  So  you  and  Arthur 
try  your  best  with  the  new  administration.  I'm  too  old  a 
dog  to  be  apt  at  new  tricks." 

"  But  it  isn't  Arthur's  doings.  Lieutenant  Ralston  is 
to  convoy  us  thither,"  returned  Jane. 

"  Well,  go  and  get  ready,  girls.  We  will  start  soon 
after  dinner  and  return  early.  Lucky  the  fandango 
wasn't  to-night,  or  the  brave  lieutenant  would  have  to 
content  himself  with  Jane." 

Annis  kept  close  to  her  mother.  After  dinner  she  fol 
lowed  her  to  her  dressing  room. 

"  I  suppose,  mamma,  I  couldn't  go  with  you  ?  "  she 
asked  wistfully,  as  her  mother  was  making  great  puffs 
out  of  her  abundant  hair. 

"  My  dear — there  will  be  all  grown  people,  and  nothing 
to  interest  a  little  girl,"  was  the  soft  reply. 

"  But  I  don't  mind  interest.  I  could  sit  very  still  and 
watch  the  rest  of  you.  I "  The  child's  voice  faltered. 

Her  mother  bent  over  and  kissed  her,  endangering  the 
structure  of  hair  she  was  piling  up. 

"  Oh,  my  dear,  to-morrow  perhaps  we  will  go  home 
and  you  will  have  me  altogether.  It  will  be  only  a  little 
while.  You  see,  people  do  not  ask  little  girls  out  to  tea." 

"  But  you  always  took  me  before.  Oh,  mamma,  I  can't 
like  all  these  people,  there  are  too  many  of  them!  I  do 
not  want  anyone  but  you." 

The  child  clung  convulsively  to  her  mother.  Patricia 
Mason's  heart  was  torn  between  the  two  loves.  For  each 
day  she  was  learning  to  love  her  generous,  large-hearted 
husband  with  a  deeper  affection,  and  taking  a  warmer  in 
terest  in  the  children.  The  hurt  and  jealous  feeling  of 

54 


A   NEW   PRESIDENT. 

Annis  was  very  natural ;  she  could  hardly  blame  her  lit 
tle  daughter.  Indeed,  it  would  have  pained  her  sorely 
if  the  child  had  been  easily  won  away.  Yet  scenes  like 
this  smote  the  very  depths  of  her  soul.  As  Annis  grew 
older  she  would  understand  that  nothing  could  change  a 
mother's  love,  though  circumstances  might  appear  to  di 
vide  it. 

Patricia  kissed  her  tenderly,  unclasped  her  arms,  and 
went  on  with  her  preparations.  The  slow  tears  coursed 
each  other  down  the  soft  cheek  in  the  grave  quiet  harder 
to  bear  than  sobs. 

"  Patty !  Patty !  "  called  the  good-humored  voice  up  the 
stairs,  "  don't  prink  all  the  afternoon,  or  you  will  outshine 
your  old  husband  and  put  him  out  of  temper.  Girls, 
come !  The  horses  are  tired  of  waiting." 

A  quick  footfall  sounded  on  the  stair,  and  Jaqueline's 
voice  was  heard  laughing  gayly.  Then  Patty  the  younger, 
peered  into  the  room. 

"  Oh,  I  thought  I  was  the  last !  Can  I  do  anything 
for  you  ?  Here  is  your  cloak.  We  are  not  in  summer  yet. 
It  really  is  warmer  at  home ;  but  I'm  glad  to  be  here,  all 
the  same.  Why,  madam  mother,  you  look  so  pretty  and 
young  father  will  have  to  introduce  us  as  sisters — the 
Three  Graces.  Here  are  your  gloves.  Good-by,  little 
Annis.  Charles  will  look  after  you." 

Mrs.  Mason  kissed  her  little  girl.  "  Will  you  not  come 
downstairs  ?  "  she  whispered. 

Annis  shook  her  head. 

She  heard  the  merry  voices,  and  presently  the  sound  of 
the  wheels.  Then  she  leaned  her  head  down  on  a  chair, 
and  felt  more  solitary  than  in  the  Kentucky  forests. 


55 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 
CHAPTER  V. 

ROGER    CARRINGTON. 

\\T  ASN'T  it  queer  that  Lieutenant  Ralston  should  hap- 
"  *  pen  in ! "  exclaimed  Jaqueline  at  the  breakfast 
table.  "  We  were  just  going  in  to  supper,  and  Madam 
Carrington  would  have  him  join  us.  She  is  a  charming 
old  lady,  and  Mrs.  Carrington,  the  daughter-in-law,  is 
bright  and  entertaining.  They're  some  way  back  connec 
tions  of  our  own  mother's,  of  both  mothers,"  with  a  bright 
blush,  nodding  over  at  Patricia.  "  And  there  are  two 
sons,  fine  young  men — one  is  private  secretary  to  Colonel 
Monroe.  We  shall  see  him  to-night.  Only  what  do  you 
think?  He  advises  us  to  wait  until  Mrs.  Madison  is  in 
the  White  House.  And  Mr.  Ralston  said,  See  her  in  her 
own  house." 

"  Jack,"  said  her  father,  using  the  detested  cognomen, 
"  your  tongue  is  hung  in  the  middle  and  swings  both 
ways.  Jane,  Mrs.  Carrington  sent  her  regards  to  you, 
and  would  like  very  much  to  meet  you,  since  both  of  her 
grandsons  are  acquainted  with  Arthur.  The  relationship 
seems  to  puzzle  most  people,  and  they  take  you  for  my 
daughter.  Do  I  really  look  old  enough  for  a  grand 
father?" 

Mrs.  Jettson  laughed  at  that.  It  was  rather  confusing 
at  times. 

"  And  they  begged  us  to  come  over  and  make  a  visit. 
Both  ladies  are  so  fond  of  girls.  Madam  Carrington  said 
they  tried  to  keep  someone  with  them  all  the  time.  And, 
Annis,  they  were  so  much  interested  in  hearing  about  you, 
and  wished  you  had  been  brought  along." 

Annis  raised  her  eyes  to  her  mother  with  a  soft  re 
proach  in  them. 

56 


ROGER   CARRINGTON. 

"  But  I  am  the  oldest,"  said  Varina  with  jealous 
dignity. 

"  When  next  I  go  out  to  supper  I  shall  have  to  take  a 
caravan,"  declared  Mr.  Mason  humorously.  "  Jane,  do 
you  think  you  can  manage  these  girls  for  a  few  days  and 
keep  them  out  of  the  clutches  of  the  young  men?  You 
will  have  your  hands  full.  But  I  am  needed  at  home,  and 
I  feel  that  we  must  go.  So  after  breakfast  we  will  gather 
up  the  small  fry.  Charles,  have  you  seen  enough  of  Wash 
ington  ?  " 

"  Not  half  enough,  but  I'll  come  back  some  time.  And 
I  think  I'll  be  a  senator." 

"  What— not  President !  " 

"  I  should  have  to  be  Vice  President  first,"  he  returned 
gravely,  at  which  they  all  laughed. 

"  I  do  not  see  why  you  should  hurry !  "  exclaimed  Jane. 
"  The  house  is  large  enough  for  you  all." 

"  There's  a  storm  brewing,  for  one  thing,  and  it's  a 
busy  season.  Then  we  do  not  desire  to  drive  you  into 
insanity." 

"  My  brains  are  on  a  more  solid  foundation  than  that 
would  imply,"  retorted  Jane. 

There  was  quite  a  confusion  when  they  rose.  The 
squire  was  always  in  a  hurry  when  any  arrangement  was 
settled  upon.  And  since  Jane  was  like  an  elder  sister  to 
the  girls 

"  You  will  have  to  keep  them  over  to  next  week,"  he 
began.  "  I  shall  not  be  able  to  get  away  before — well,  the 
very  last.  You  might  let  them  spend  a  day  or  two  with 
the  Carringtons." 

"  Oh,  we  shall  get  along  all  right,  never  fear !  " 

"  They're  only  children,  you  know,"  and  the  squire  knit 
his  brow  over  a  phase  of  fatherhood  he  could  not  make 
plain  to  himself,  much  less  explain  to  another.  "  I  had  an 
idea  Catharine  would  sober  Jaqueline  down  a  little,  being 

57 


'A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

a  clergyman's  wife  and  all  that,  but  she's  just  as  much  of 
a  child  as  ever." 

"  Oh,  you  need  not  feel  worried  about  Jaqueline.  And 
it  will  be  very  nice  for  them  both  to  see  the  President 
and  Mr.  Jefferson,  who  is  sure  to  be  there.  Every 
body  is  rushing  to  do  them  honor.  I  wish  you  could 
stay." 

"  I've  seen  them  both  many  a  time,  Jane,  and  every 
other  President.  Your  father  is  right  in  one  thing,  Wash 
ington  was  a  grand  man.  There — do  not  let  the  girls  run 
wild." 

Annis  scarcely  let  her  mother  out  of  her  sight.  Mrs. 
Jettson  kissed  her  and  said  she  was  a  nice  little  thing 
and  must  come  again.  Charles  was  enthusiastic  over  his 
good  time,  and  had  much  to  talk  about  on  the  homeward 
journey. 

"  You  have  used  your  eyes  to  some  purpose,"  said  his 
mother  with  smiling  commendation. 

Mr.  Evans  thought  so,  as  well.  He  was  very  proud  of 
his  pupil. 

Annis  enjoyed  the  great  world  out  of  doors  more  than 
she  did  her  lessons.  When  they  were  over  she  and 
Charles  rambled  about  the  beautiful  country-sides,  gather 
ing  armfuls  of  flowers,  listening  to  the  singing  birds  that 
filled  the  woods.  The  whole  plantation  was  astir  with 
life.  Corn  and  tobacco,  wheat  and  oats,  were  the  great 
staples, but  there  was  much  besides  in  fruit  and  vegetables, 
in  flocks  and  herds.  Slaves  were  busy  from  morning  to 
night ;  it  seemed  as  if  the  place  was  dotted  with  them. 
Randolph  Mason  was  an  easy  master.  Mrs.  Mason 
found  the  care  of  so  large  a  household  no  light  thing.  It 
was  truly  a  colony  of  people  depending  upon  them  for  ad 
vice  and  training  of  all  sorts,  for  comfort  in  sorrow  or 
death,  for  a  willing  ear  in  all  troubles. 

It  was  a  full  fortnight  before  Mr,  Mason  could  find  time 

f* 


ROGER   CARRINGTON. 

to  go  for  his  girls.  Jaqueline  had  sipped  pleasure  con 
tinually.  The  reception  had  indeed  been  a  crush  and  an 
informal  affair,  a  mere  calling  upon  the  head  of  the  na 
tion  in  a  congratulatory  way.  Yet  there  were  beautifully 
gowned  women,  and  famous  men,  and  Mrs.  Madison  was 
cordial  and  affable.  In  the  dining  room  the  table  was 
replenished  continually,  and  the  smiling  waiters  seemed 
at  everyone's  elbow. 

After  that  Mr.  Jefferson  had  gone  to  his  beloved  Mon- 
ticello,  although  there  was  no  wife  to  welcome  him,  and 
only  one  daughter  now.  And  the  new  President  was  es 
tablished  at  the  White  House.  First  there  was  a  state 
dinner  to  the  ministers  and  the  official  family,  and  then 
a  levee. 

Jaqueline  and  Patricia  were  surprised  by  a  call  from 
Mrs.  Carrington,  who  had  driven  over  with  her  son  to  give 
her  invitation  in  person  and  take  them  back  with  her  to 
Georgetown. 

A  quaint  old  house  full  of  nooks  and  corners,  and  a 
garden  laid  out  with  curious  winding  walks,  full  of  old- 
fashioned  flowers  and  shrubs,  some  having  been  brought 
from  the  royal  gardens  of  Paris,  and  one  queer  space  with 
clipped  yews  and  a  great  tulip  bed,  so  sheltered  from  the 
wind  and  with  such  a  sunny  exposure  that  it  was  show 
ing  color  in  the  buds  already. 

Patricia,  with  her  girlish  eagerness,  went  to  the  heart 
of  Madam  at  once.  She  was  so  frank  and  chatty,  and 
laughed  with  such  an  inspiriting  sound,  that  it  gave  the 
quiet  house  ripples  of  gayety. 

Jaqueline  and  Mrs.  Carrington  fraternized  in  a  de 
lightful  manner.  She  was  a  rather  small,  fair  woman, 
whose  education  abroad  and  whose  family  had  been  her 
chief  virtues  in  the  eyes  of  her  mother-in-law,  who  was  a 
great  stickler  for  birth.  She  had  made  a  good  wife  and 
mother,  though  it  must  be  confessed  that  when  Madam 

59 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Carrington  lost  her  son  she  took  complete  possession  of 
her  grandsons.  In  spite  of  strong  patriotism  Roger  had 
been  sent  to  Oxford  for  three  years,  and  had  taken  his  de 
gree  at  law  in  Baltimore.  Ralph  was  quite  a  bookworm, 
but  extremely  fond  of  agriculture. 

The  longing  of  both  women  had  been  for  a  daughter. 
Though  they  seldom  compared  notes  on  the  subject, 
Roger's  wife  was  a  matter  of  much  speculation  to  them. 
Early  marriages  were  the  rule  rather  than  the  exception ; 
and  though  they  were  ready  to  invite  relatives  and  friends 
for  visits  and  select  admirable  girls,  Roger  was  single 
at  twenty-four,  an  admirer  of  the  sex  and  quite 
fond  of  pleasure,  and  ever  ready  to  make  himself 
agreeable. 

Squire  Mason  had  insisted  that  his  girls  were  but  chil 
dren,  but  Jaqueline  was  assuming  the  graces  of  woman 
hood  rapidly.  Mrs.  Carrington  admired  her  slim,  lithe 
figure,  her  pretty  face  with  its  fine  complexion  and  laugh 
ing  eyes  that  often  twinkled  from  an  overflow  of  mirth. 
There  was  in  the  young  people  of  that  day  a  very  charm 
ing  deference  to  elders,  and  with  all  Jaqueline's  wildness 
and  love  of  fun  there  was  the  innate  touch  of  good  breed 
ing,  the  debt  it  was  considered  one  positively  owed  to  so 
ciety. 

Mr.  Ralph  had  gathered  quite  a  menagerie  of  small  pet 
animals ;  and,  as  no  one  was  allowed  to  disturb  the  birds, 
the  garden  and  strip  of  woods  still  remaining  were  filled 
with  their  melody.  There  was  a  summerhouse  that, 
while  it  looked  light  and  was  overrun  with  blossom 
ing  vines,  was  secure  from  rain  and  had  one  fur 
nished  room  which  was  a  great  favorite  with  the  young 
man. 

The  little  eminence  gave  a  fine  view  of  Rock  Creek 
and  the  wilder  country  to  the  northward.  When  im 
provements  begin,  as  is  often  the  case,  an  estate  not 

60 


ROGER   CARRINGTON. 

large  enough  for  a  farm  becomes  unprofitable.  The  town 
was  growing  rapidly;  indeed,  it  had  been  a  refuge  when 
the  first  Congress  met  in  Washington,  as  there  were  so 
few  houses  in  the  Capital.  The  patrician  resort,  where 
men  of  note  had  mingled  and  discussed  the  interests  of 
the  country  over  their  choice  Madeira  and  before  the 
blazing  fire  of  their  host,  was  Suter's  tavern,  which  kept 
its  old  reputation,  being  one  of  the  historic  places  while 
history  was  yet  so  new.  And  the  Convent  of  the  Visita 
tion  was  still  a  favorite  with  those  who  did  not  want  to 
send  their  daughters  away  from  home,  or  were  of  the 
same  faith.  Maryland  had  been  settled  largely  by  Ro 
man  Catholics,  and  Virginia  was  the  first  State  to  insist 
on  equal  rights  for  all  denominations,  while  her  people 
were  generally  stanch  Churchmen. 

There  was  a  cordial,  attractive,  and  refined  element  in 
Georgetown,  and  much  gayety  among  the  young  people. 
It  was  quite  a  common  thing  for  foreigners  to  sneer  at 
the  lack  of  courtly  usage  in  the  Colonies,  and  the  want  of 
fine  distinctions  one  found  in  foreign  life,  which  were 
the  outgrowth  of  years  of  training  and  experience,  and 
where  common  people  were  held  in  awe  by  the  "  divinity 
that  doth  hedge  a  king."  But  the  men  who  had  fought 
side  by  side,  slept  on  the  ground,  endured  all  kinds  of 
hardships  for  the  sake  of  a  free  country,  were  imbued 
with  that  sense  of  equality  quite  different  from  the  mush 
room  adjustment  of  the  French  Revolution.  There  was 
a  more  generous  culture  of  the  soul,  and  much  more  in 
telligence  than  the  period  is  credited  with.  When  one 
looks  back  at  the  long  line  of  statesmen,  all  more  or  less 
identified  with  the  great  struggle  and  the  pioneer  mode 
of  life,  one  finds  a  galaxy  of  noble  men  that  few  lands  can 
equal,  and  who  built  an  enduring  name  for  themselves  in 
building  their  country. 

Many  of  the  young  people  had  been  educated  abroad, 

61 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

but  Harvard,  King's  College,  Nassau  Hall,  and  William 
and  Mary  were  even  now  taking  a  high  stand  in  educa 
tional  matters.  And  both  Boston  and  Philadelphia  had 
some  finishing  schools,  while  the  Moravian  Seminary  was 
already  quite  celebrated  for  the  repose  and  refinement  of 
manner  young  girls  acquired  within  its  nun-like  seclu 
sion.  But  the  ideal  training  of  women  had  not  gone  far 
beyond  what  was  considered  the  strictly  feminine  bound 
ary:  to  be  graceful  and  attractive,  with  a  certain  fresh 
ness  of  repartee,  to  dance  well,  to  entertain,  and  to  order 
a  household.  For  in  the  higher  circles  one  might  have 
to  receive  a  count  or  a  traveling  lord  or  a  French  mar 
quis,  or  be  sent  abroad  as  the  wife  of  some  minister. 

Georgetown  had  the  advantage  of  more  stability  than 
Washington,  and  had  grown  up  around  home  centers. 
Representatives  came  and  went,  often  not  considering  it 
worth  while  to  bring  their  families.  Senators  were  still 
largely  interested  in  the  welfare  of  their  own  States, 
rather  than  that  of  the  distant  Capital.  Thus  it  came  to 
pass  that  Georgetown  was  really  attractive  and  rapidly 
improving.  Streets  had  a  more  finished  look.  Gar 
dens  were  large  and  well  kept,  as  there  was  no  need  of 
crowding. 

The  Carrington  young  men  had  seen  the  progress  of 
advancement  and  yielded  to  it  with  a  sense  of  foresight. 
The  outlying  land  had  been  cut  up  into  squares — some 
places  sold,  some  rented.  Roger  had  many  excellent  busi 
ness  traits.  Enough  was  left  for  beauty  and  a  boundary 
of  fine  forest  trees  on  two  sides,  a  third  a  prettily  diversi 
fied  space  sloping  down  to  the  creek,  the  other  command 
ing  a  fine  view  of  the  town. 

"  You  ride,  of  course  ?  "  Roger  had  said  the  next  morn 
ing  after  their  arrival. 

"  What  Virginia  girl  does  not  ?  "  Jaqueline  returned 
with  a  gay  smile. 

62 


ROGER   CARRINGTON. 

"  It  bids  fair  to  be  a  pleasant,  sunny  day,  mother. 
What  is  that  despondent  song  you  sing  so  much? 

"  '  Many  a  bright  and  sunshiny  morning 
Turns  dismal ' — 

and  he  paused — 

"  '  Turns  to  be  a  dark  and  dismal  day.' 

Well,  don't  sing  it  to-day,  and  I  will  come  home  early 
if  I  can  get  away,  and  take  Miss  Jaqueline  out.  Ralph, 
you  might  invite  Patricia.  We  will  go  up  the  creek  road. 
The  birds  are  out  in  force  already ;  the  shore  larks  and  the 
thrush  are  making  melody  that  would  rejoice  the  heart  of 
Robin  Hood." 

"  But — I  have  no  habit,"  replied  Jaqueline,  her  bright 
face  shadowed  with  disappointment. 

"  Oh,  mother  can  look  you  up  something.  We  have 
attire  that  came  over  with  my  Lord  de  la  Ware's  ships. 
Why  shouldn't  we  be  as  proud  as  of  old  Mayflower  tables 
and  cups  and  cloaks  that  the  New  Englanders  dote  on  ?  " 

"  I  can  find  something,  I  am  sure,"  was  the  motherly 
reply. 

"  Come  out  and  take  a  breath  of  this  delicious  air." 

That  was  meant  for  Jaqueline,  who  followed  the  young 
man  out  on  the  porch,  down  the  steps,  and  then  they  loi 
tered  through  the  garden  walk.  The  old  white-haired 
gardener  was  clearing  up  the  garden  beds. 

"  Mornin',  massa  and  young  missy,"  he  said,  with  a 
touch  of  his  hand  to  his  head,  that  looked  like  a  wig  of 
crinkly  wool. 

Roger  paused  and  gave  some  orders.  Then  he 
gathered  a  few  wild  violets  and  gave  them  to  the  girl  with 
a  graceful  gesture. 

His  mother  was  watching.  "  If  he  only  would  come 
to  care  for  someone !  "  she  mused.  He  was  a  general  ad- 

63 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

mirer  of  the  sex,  as  the  young  men  of  that  day  were  wont 
to  be.  "  And  the  Masons  are  a  fine  family.  I  would  like 
nothing  better." 

How  many  times  she  had  given  anticipatory  consent ! 

Jaqueline  sent  him  off  with  a  pretty  smile  that  he  for 
got  all  about  when  Ajax  whinnied  and  thrust  his  nose  into 
his  master's  hand.  He  had  been  waiting  the  last  fifteen 
minutes  for  the  well-known  voice. 

"  Fine  old  fellow !  "  his  master  said,  with  a  caressing 
touch  of  the  hand.  "  And  now  we  must  be  off,  or  the 
colonel  will  be  in  a  fume." 

"  I'll  go  up  in  the  storeroom,"  began  Mrs.  Carrington, 
glancing  the  young  girl  over.  "  Mother,  I  do  believe 
that  green  velvet  jacket  would  fit  Miss  Jaqueline.  You 
wouldn't  believe  that  I  was  once  quite  as  slim  as  you  ?  " 
to  the  young  girl. 

"  I'm  sure  you're  not  to  be  called  stout  now,"  said  the 
madam,  who  despised  a  superabundance  of  flesh  and  yet 
hated  leanness.  She  was  a  fine,  perfectly  proportioned 
woman,  straight  as  an  arrow,  in  spite  of  her  more  than 
seventy  years. 

"  But  it  always  was  tight  in  the  shoulders.  You  see, 
my  dear,  when  things  are  ordered  abroad  there's  not  an 
inch  to  alter  them  with — and  then  I  went  in  mourning. 
Would  you  like  to  come  upstairs  with  me?" 

Patricia  had  gone  off  to  look  at  the  guineas  and  pea 
cocks  who  had  stoutly  insisted  upon  early  broods. 
Madam  had  gone  over  to  the  open  window  with  some  fine 
needlework.  Jaqueline  followed  her  hostess  up  the  broad 
stairway,  through  the  spacious  hall  lighted  by  the  cupola 
above,  and  into  an  ell  where  the  main  storeroom  was 
snugly  hidden. 

What  big  old  chests,  with  brass  and  iron  clamps  and 
binding  and  hinges!  A  row  of  deep  drawers  that  held 
the  best  family  linen  and  napery,  some  of  it  saved  from 

64 


ROGER   CARRINGTON. 

destruction  thirty  years  ago  in  the  war  that  was  already 
half  forgotten.  There  was  a  sweet  scent  about  the  room, 
made  by  bunches  of  lavender,  rosemary,  and  a  sweet  clo 
ver,  much  cultivated  in  gardens,  and  the  fragrance  of 
dried  rose  leaves. 

"  There  have  been  so  many  things  laid  by.  We  hoped 
there  would  be  girls  to  take  them,"  and  Mrs.  Carrington 
gave  a  soft  sigh.  "  What  a  merry  household  you  must 
be !  There  are  younger  girls " 

"  Yes,  Varina,  our  own  sister,  and  Annis,  mother's  lit 
tle  girl." 

"  I  am  much  interested  in  your  new  mother.  She  seems 
a  very  kindly,  amiable  person.  Back  some  distance  she 
was  connected  with  the  Carringtons,  you  know." 

"  And  she  was  our  own  mother's  cousin.  Oh,  we  are 
all  in  love  with  her,  I  assure  you.  And  it  is  quite  delight 
ful  for  father  to  have  someone  to  consider  him  first  of 
all.  It's  funny  what  marriage  does  to  a  woman,"  and 
Jaqueline  gave  a  light  laugh.  "  I  suppose  we  did  try 
Aunt  Catharine,  but  she  used  to  nag  at  father  until  some 
times  he  would  lose  his  temper.  And  now  she  is  always 
quoting  and  admiring  Mr.  Conway,  and  runs  around  after 
him  as  if  he  was  a  child.  I  am  sure  father  is  much  more 
delightful  to  live  with,  he  is  so  merry  and  full  of  fun. 
Not  but  what  Mr.  Conway  is  a  gentleman  and  kind  of 
heart." 

"  But  your  aunt  was  no  longer  a  young  girl." 

"  And  falling  in  love  is  a  queer  happening.  Love  is 
writ  blind,"  and  Jaqueline  laughed  daintily. 

"  The  little  girl  of  your  mother's  ? — I  was  sorry  not  to 
see  her.  Is  she  like  her  mother?" 

"  She  is  a  shy,  dainty  little  thing,  with  a  sweet  temper 
and  a  kind  of  homesick  way  now  and  then,  as  if  she 
longed  to  fly  away  somewhere  with  her  mother.  Of 
course  we  all  like  her,  and  father  has  taken  her  to  his 

65 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

heart.  Charles  thinks  her  a  nonesuch,  since  she  is  never 
weary  of  hearing  him  read  aloud.  And  though  Charles 
is  the  youngest,  Varina  has  always  been  the  baby,  and  I 
think  she  is  jealous.  It  is  very  amusing  at  times." 

"  I  am  glad  you  get  along  so  well  together.  It  must 
be  a  great  pleasure  to  your  father  to  have  a  companion 
of  his  very  own.  And  you  girls  will  presently  marry." 

"  I  mean  to  have  a  good,  merry  time  first.  What  a  pity 
the  winter  is  gone  just  as  we  have  a  new  President! 
Congress  will  soon  be  adjourned,  and  Jane  says  Washing 
ton  is  dismal  in  the  summer." 

She  opened  a  box,  where  the  garment  had  lain  many  a 
year,  being  taken  out  at  the  annual  cleaning,  brushed 
carefully,  and  laid  away  again.  It  had  a  high  collar  and 
lapels  worked  with  veritable  gold  thread  that  had  not 
tarnished. 

"  Yes — many  people  do  go  away.  The  town  has  not 
improved  as  we  all  hoped  it  would.  But  there  is  an  old 
adage  that  Rome  was  not  built  in  a  day.  And  we  are  a 
comparatively  new  country.  Oh,  here  is  the  jacket !  " 

"  Oh,  how  lovely !  "  cried  Jaqueline. 

"  The  buttons  want  rubbing  up.  We  will  take  it  to 
Betty,  who  can  tell  if  it  needs  altering.  I  keep  the  sleeves 
stuffed  out  with  cotton  so  it  will  not  wrinkle  or  mat.  A 
London  tailor  made  it,  yet  it  looks  fresh  as  if  it  had  just 
been  sent  over." 

They  found  Betty,  who  was  supervising  some  of  the 
sewing  girls.  Most  of  the  ordinary  wearing  clothes  of 
the  family  and  the  servants'  belongings  were  made  in  the 
house.  There  was  fine  mending  and  darning,  and  much 
drawn  work  done  by  some  of  the  better-class  house 
slaves. 

Jaqueline  tried  on  the  pretty  jacket,  and  there  was  not 
much  alteration  to  be  made  in  it.  The  young  girl  felt  cu 
riously  gratified  as  she  studied  her  slim  figure  in  the 


ROGER   CARRINGTON. 

mirror.  She  had  never  owned  anything  so  fine,  and  cer 
tainly  it  was  most  becoming. 

"  Then,  Betty,  alter  the  band  of  my  black  cloth  skirt. 
That  is  the  best  we  can  do  just  now." 

"  Oh,  you  are  most  kind !  "  and  Jaqueline  took  both 
hands  in  a  warm  clasp,  while  the  glancing  eyes  were  suf 
fused  with  delight. 

"  And  now  if  you  both  like  we  will  go  out  for  an 
airing,  as  I  have  some  errands  to  do." 

Jaqueline  was  ready  for  any  diversion.  Ralph  pro 
posed  to  drive  them,  as  he  had  a  little  business  to  at 
tend  to. 

There  were  several  attractive  shops  in  Georgetown,  and 
the  hairdressing  seemed  to  be  brisk,  judging  from  nu 
merous  signs.  In  one  window  were  wigs  of  various 
colors  from  fair  to  dark.  Indeed,  there  had  been  a  great 
era  of  wigs  for  both  men  and  women,  and  especially 
among  the  fair  sex,  who  thought  even  two  wigs  much 
cheaper  than  the  continual  bills  of  the  hairdresser,  when 
they  were  crisped  into  curls,  pinned  up  in  puffs,  and  a 
great  crown  laid  on  top  of  the  head,  built  up  in  the  arti 
fices  known  to  fashion,  to  be  surmounted  by  feathers. 
The  wide  hoop  was  diminishing  as  well,  and  graceful  fig 
ures  were  likely  to  be  once  more  the  style. 

The  dinner-hour  in  most  society  families  was  at  two, 
and  at  the  Carringtons'  it  was  quite  a  stately  meal,  with 
often  an  unexpected  guest,  made  just  as  welcome  as  if 
by  invitation.  And  to-day  a  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hudson  had 
driven  up  from  Alexandria — old  friends  who  had  many 
things  to  inquire  about  after  a  winter  of  seclusion,  and 
most  eager  to  learn  how  the  new  President  had  been  re 
ceived,  and  whether  there  would  really  be  war. 

No  one  was  in  a  hurry.  People  truly  lived  then.  Pa 
tricia  thought  it  rather  stupid,  as  no  one  referred  to  her 
with  any  question  or  comment ;  even  Mr.  Ralph,  who  had 

67 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

proved  so  entertaining  all  the  morning,  scarcely  noticed 
her,  as  he  had  to  play  the  host.  But  Jaqueline  quite  shone. 
When  Mrs.  Hudson  heard  she  had  been  at  the  reception, 
she  must  describe  not  only  the  ladies  and  their  gowns, 
but  whether  Mr.  Jefferson  was  as  ready  to  lay  down  the 
cares  of  state  as  most  people  said,  and  if  Mrs.  Madison 
had  not  aged  by  the  continual  demands  that  had  been 
made  upon  her. 

"  For  she  is  coming  quite  to  middle  life,"  said  Mrs. 
Hudson. 

"  And  could  discount  fully  ten  years,"  returned  Ralph. 

"  They  all  paint  and  powder,  I  have  heard.  So  much 
dissipation  cannot  be  good  for  women.  But,  then,  she 
has  no  children  to  look  after.  Her  son  is  at  school.  It 
does  make  a  difference  if  one  brings  up  half  a  dozen 
children  and  has  to  think  of  getting  them  settled  in 
life." 

She  had  had  her  share,  good  Mistress  Hudson.  Three 
daughters  to  marry,  which  she  had  done  well ;  one  son  to 
bury;  one  rambling  off,  whether  dead  or  alive  no  one 
knew ;  and  one  still  left,  a  prop  for  declining  years,  but  his 
mother  was  as  anxious  to  keep  him  single  as  Mrs.  Car- 
rington  was  that  her  sons  should  marry. 

They  had  risen  from  the  table,  and  the  horses  had  been 
ordered  when  Mr.  Carrington  came  in.  He  saw  how 
Jaqueline's  face  lighted  up. 

"  The  days  are  a  little  longer,  and  we  will  have  our 
ride  yet,"  he  said  in  a  whispered  aside.  But  there  was 
still  some  talking  to  do.  Jaqueline  made  her  adieus  and 
went  to  put  on  her  habit.  Standing  in  the  hall  above,  she 
waited  until  patience  was  a  lost  virtue. 

Then  Roger  Carrington  called  to  her. 

"  I  thought  they  would  never  go,  they  prosed  and 
prosed  so !  " 

"  We  shall  be  old  ourselves  some  day,"  he  returned 

68 


ROGER   CARRINGTON. 

with  a  smile,  "  and  perhaps  prose  while  young  people  are 
waiting." 

Then  he  turned  her  around  with  gentlemanly  grace, 
admiration  in  his  eyes. 

"  Is  it  the  jackdaw  that  appears  in  borrowed  plumes — 
some  bird  I  have  heard  tell  of.  Why  birds  should  bor 
row  plumes — I  am  shamefully  ignorant,  am  I  not?  "  rais 
ing  her  eyes  with  a  spice  of  mischief. 

"  Let  us  go  and  ask  Ralph,"  he  said  with  assumed 
gravity.  "  It  will  not  take  him  long  to  run  through  two 
or  three  tomes." 

"  And  ride  by  moonlight  ?  " 

"  There  is  no  moon." 

"  Does  she  not  look  well,  Roger  ?  A  tailor  could  not 
have  fitted  the  habit  better.  Do  not  go  very  far,  for  the 
air  might  grow  chilly  again." 

"  We  will  go  up  the  creek  a  short  distance." 

Then  he  mounted  her  upon  the  pretty  mare,  his 
brother's  favorite,  for  Ralph  had  not  cared  to  ride.  Pa 
tricia  looked  on  a  little  disappointed,  yet  she  did  not  really 
wish  to  go,  for  Madam  Carrington  had  been  telling  her  a 
curious  love  story  about  a  little  maid  who  had  been  sent 
over  with  a  number  of  redemptioners,  as  those  who  were 
bound  for  a  number  of  years  were  called.  She  had  at 
tracted  the  pity  of  a  kindly  man,  who  had  purchased  her 
years  of  service  for  his  wife.  Then  the  son  had  fallen  in 
love  with  her,  which  had  roused  the  mother's  anger,  when 
she  sent  her  son  to  England  to  be  educated  and  perhaps 
fall  in  love  with  a  cousin.  The  little  maid  was  rather 
hardly  treated,  when  someone  came  to  the  colony  in 
search  of  her,  and  it  turned  out  that  she  was  well  born 
and  heiress  to  a  grand  estate,  held  by  a  relative  who 
had  formed  a  villainous  plot  against  her  and  reported  her 
dead.  Now  that  he  was  dying  without  heirs,  he  was  de 
sirous  of  making  tardy  reparation. 

69 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

There  were  few  story  books  to  fall  into  girls'  hands  in 
those  days.  Swift  and  Sterne  and  Smollett  were  kept  out 
of  reach.  Miss  Burney  was  hardly  considered  proper, 
and  Miss  Austen  had  not  been  heard  of  in  the  Colonies. 

Patricia  was  fond  of  old  legends  and  ghost  stories,  with 
which  the  plantation  was  rife,  and  which  had  grown  up 
about  old  houses.  Unhappy  lovers  had  a  weird,  fascinat 
ing  interest  for  young  girls,  even  if  the  lives  of  the  day 
were  the  reverse  of  sentimental.  All  through  the  dinner 
she  had  been  wondering  if  the  little  maid  met  her  lover 
again ;  but  that  she  came  back  to  America,  she  knew,  for 
her  portrait  hung  in  the  hall  among  the  Carrington  ladies. 

Ajax  and  Daphne  rubbed  noses,  flung  up  their  heads, 
and  started  off.  Tame  enough  now  is  the  winding  creek, 
which  was  rough  and  rapid  then,  and  which  traveled  from 
the  upper  edge  of  Maryland,  gathering  in  many  a  little 
stream,  rushing  along  in  some  places  over  great  stones, 
winding  about  placidly  in  others,  and  then  joining  the 
Potomac. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A  TOUCH  OF   NATURE. 

'TTHERE  had  been  a  breath  of  spring  in  the  air  for  a 
day  or  two,  and  all  nature  welcomed  the  softness, 
with  the  numerous  sounds  of  awakening  life.  Wild  bees 
were  out  foraging.  The  catkins  of  the  alders  had  swelled 
to  bursting,  the  maples  were  showing  red,  tufts  of  grass 
were  assuming  the  peculiar  hazy,  suggestive  green  through 
the  furzy  deadness  of  winter,  while  here  and  there  a 
field  of  grain  displayed  the  brilliance  of  a  velvet  carpet. 
The  trees  had  that  dreamy  purplish  tint  of  springtime,  and 
waved  their  leafless  branches  with  wooing  softness. 
The  road  ran  alongside  of  the  brook  and  was  in  fair 

70 


A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE. 

order  for  the  time  of  the  year.  Now  and  then  some  bird 
flung  out  a  note  of  rejoicing.  They  went  by  degrees  down 
a  valley  until  they  struck  a  wild  gorge  with  overhanging 
rocks,  where  a  multitude  of  crows  were  holding  council, 
and  suddenly  wheeled  off,  making  a  dark  shadow  over  the 
path. 

"  A  month  later  it  will  be  beautiful,"  Roger  Carrington 
said.  "  But  I  suppose  you  have  a  surfeit  over  the  Po 
tomac  ?  "  nodding  his  head  to  the  southward.  "  Or  per 
haps  you  would  have  liked  it  better  about  Georgetown. 
I  fancied  my  mother  had  shown  you  everything  worth 
seeing.  Few  people  know  how  fine  the  road  is  up  this 
way." 

He  looked  a  little  doubtfully  at  his  companion.  Per 
haps  she  was  too  young  to  appreciate  it. 

"  I  have  never  been  this  way  before.  We  were  out  on 
the  Potomac  last  summer  when  we  were  visiting  my  sis 
ter,  the  first  time  we  came  to  Washington.  Regulation 
philosophy  considers  home  the  best  place  for  children," 
and  she  smiled  archly. 

"  I  like  large  families.  You  can't  think  how  your  father 
interested  us  in  the  description  of  you  all.  How  many  are 
there?" 

"  Five  of  us  and  the  sister  of  adoption." 

"  Mrs.  Mason  quite  charmed  us.  She  has  had  a  rather 
eventful  life.  There  is  a  brother " 

"  We  begin  and  end  with  boys.  Charles  would  delight 
your  brother  Ralph.  Louis  is  in  college.  He  has  some 
aspirations  for  the  law  or  political  life,  but  his  present  de 
sire  runs  the  way  of  pleasure  and  fun.  The  college  boys 
are  quite  adepts  at  mischief." 

"  You  were  down  there  ?  " 

"  My  aunt  married  and  went  to  Williamsburg,  you 
know.  And  Uncle  Conway  is  connected  with  the  college. 
Yes,  I  had  a  good,  gay  time.  And  I  like — fun." 

71 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

She  looked  it,  with  the  sparkle  in  her  eye  and  the  chang 
ing  color  on  her  cheek.  She  was  very  pretty,  but  an  eager 
child. 

"  And  if  we  had  some  girls  to  make  merry !  Real  girls, 
I  mean,  like  Patty,  who  is  charming  to  have  about.  Sup 
pose  we  keep  her  for  the  next  year  or  two  ?  " 

"  You  will  have  to  settle  that  with  Patty  and  father. 
And  Patty  has  a  way  of  breaking  out  of  bounds  that 
might  startle  you.  She  is  on  her  best  behavior  now." 

"  And  we  cannot  always  keep  up  to  the  mark — is  that 
what  you  mean  me  to  infer  ?  " 

"  I  couldn't,  I  am  sure,  if  the  mark  was  set  high,"  and 
she  laughed.  "  It  is,  up  to  grandmamma's.  And  Dolly, 
who  really  is  my  aunt,  you  know,  is  not  much  older  than  I 
am.  We  have  royal  times  when  she  comes  to  the  planta 
tion.  But  grandpapa  is  very  strict  and  of  the  old — 
there's  a  French  word  I  ought  to  use,"  and  she  blushed. 
"  My  French  will  not  always  come  to  the  front ;  and  so, 
you  see,  I  cannot  put  on  grand  airs." 

Carrington  laughed.    Her  frankness  was  so  piquant. 

"  Regime — that  I  think  is  the  word  you  want." 

"  Yes.  A  man  who  believes  we  have  had  no  manners 
since  the  days  of  Washington  and  Mr.  John  Adams.  Oh, 
do  you  truly  think  the  country  will  go  to  ruin  and  split 
up  into  fragments  ?  " 

"  No,  I  really  do  not.  Young  countries,  like  young 
people,  make  mistakes.  Well,  older  countries  do  likewise. 
There  have  been  many  changes  in  the  policies  of  all 
governments,  many  rulers.  I've  quite  decided  this  will 
last  my  time  out." 

"  I  don't  understand  about  the  Non-Intercourse  Act 
and  all  that.  Father  thinks  it  would  be  good  for  the 
women  not  to  get  so  much  finery  from  abroad.  But, 
then,  if  we  sell  tobacco  and  other  things  to  England  and 
France — why,  it  seems  to  me  it  is  a  good  thing,  a  sort  of 

72 


A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE. 

give  and  take.  And  grandpapa  thinks  Mr.  Madison  will 
finish  what  Mr.  Jefferson  began,  and  that  England  will 
get  hold  of  us  again.  Are  you  to  go  to  the  levee?  " 

"  Oh,  yes." 

"  I  am  so  glad !  I  am  to  make  a  real  bow  to  Mrs.  Mad 
ison.  Oh,  no;  I  suppose  it  is  a  courtesy.  I  like  to  see 
people  dressed  up  in  pretty  clothes,  and  I  have  not  been  to 
the  White  House  yet.  And  to  see  all  the  grand  men 
nearby,  not  simply  in  a  jostling  crowd.  Don't  you  some 
times  feel  a  little  afraid  of  them  ?  " 

There  was  a  charming  half-curiosity  in  her  eyes,  and 
a  pretty  smile  quivered  about  her  red  lips.  What  a  child 
she  was !  If  he  was  to  ask  her  to  marry  him  both  mother 
and  grandmother  would  be  quite  content.  As  for  him — 
well,  he  had  no  drawing  toward  matrimony,  but  that  in 
nate  chivalry  and  admiration  for  all  women  so  common  in 
the  men  of  that  day,  who  were  trained  to  pay  the  highest 
respect  to  their  mothers. 

"  I  find  myself  wishing  I  was  as  wise  and  as  experi 
enced,  and  had  the  clear  insight  that  some  of  our  best 
men  have  had,  nay,  have  to-day.  But  that  comes  with  age 
and  profound  knowledge." 

"  Oh,  don't  get  any  older !  I  like  the  young  men.  And 
as  for  wisdom " 

She  paused  and  colored,  turning  her  face  half  away, 
but  the  roundness  of  the  young  cheek  and  the  graceful 
curve/  where  it  softly  lost  itself  in  the  white  neck  were 
truly  lovely. 

"  We  will  dismiss  wisdom  and  age,"  laughingly. 

"  Oh,  where  are  we  going !  "  She  reigned  her  horse  in 
sudden  alarm. 

"  This  is  the  last  of  the  ravine.  I  wanted  you  to  see 
the  picture  beyond.  Nay,  there  is  nothing  to  fear." 

The  frowning  rocks  and  overhanging  trees  on  both 
sides  almost  shut  out  the  daylight.  It  did  quite  in  sum- 

73 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

mer  when  the  foliage  was  thick.  Then  it  lightened,  and 
the  clear  whistle  of  a  bird  rang  out  as  if  heralding  the  end. 
The  break  was  almost  a  level.  The  creek  broadened  out 
here.  The  westward  sun  struck  it  and  made  beautiful 
reflections  on  the  undulating  stretches  of  land.  The  leaf 
less  trees  showed  golden  and  brown-red  tints  through  the 
dun  haze,  the  birches  wore  a  rosy  silver  light.  Back  of  it 
the  hills  rose  with  the  mysterious  suggestiveness  of  com 
ing  spring,  full  of  quivering  lights  as  the  wind  made  per 
ceptible  waves  in  the  air. 

"  It  is  wonderful !  "  she  said  softly.  "  It  is  like  those 
emotions  one  can  never  describe,  that  penetrate  every 
nerve,  that  make  you  feel  half  awed.  Oh,  the  world  is 
beautiful!" 

The  eager,  yet  chastened,  expression  of  her  face  moved 
him.  She  sat  her  horse  finely,  girl  as  she  was,  her  head 
proudly  erect,  her  shoulders  in  the  velvet  coat  shaped  ex 
quisitely,  the  sleeve  showing  the  arm's  perfect  roundness 
at  the  top  and  the  slope  down  to  the  slender  waist. 

He  had  meant  to  call  her  attention  to  this  scene,  but 
her  quickness  of  vision  gratified  him. 

"  It  is  my  favorite  prospect,"  he  said.  "  I  have  watched 
it  many  a  time  just  at  this  hour  in  the  afternoon.  From 
early  spring  to  midwinter  the  sun  makes  a  picture  of  it. 
We  are  rich  in  beautiful  scenery,  and  when  we  are  done 
fighting  and  quarreling  we  should  be  a  nation  of  artists. 
So  far  we  have  only  been  inspired  to  portraits." 

"  It  would  be  curious  to  be  able  to  paint  a  picture.  I 
never  thought  of  it  before." 

"  That  is  genius,  I  suppose.  Now,  here  is  a  nice  clear 
bit  of  road.  Let  us  have  a  sharp  canter  out  to  that  bend 
in  the  creek  and  back,  then  we  must  hasten  home  before 
the  evening  dampness  sets  in." 

Daphne  threw  up  her  head  at  the  touch  of  the  whip,  and 
was  off  like  a  flash.  Roger  Carrington  allowed  her  to 

74 


A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE. 

reach  the  bend  first,  to  the  discomfiture  of  Ajax.  Jaque- 
line  turned  her  bright,  rosy  face,  full  of  smiling  triumph. 

"  I  accept,"  nodding  with  gallantry.  "  We  should  have 
been  timed  to  a  second.  You  are  an  excellent  rider." 

"  Seeing  that  I  have  been  trained  from  babyhood  it 
would  be  disgraceful  if  I  were  not.  Oh,  what  crazy 
things  we  have  done — Louis  and  I !  And  then  we  would 
bind  ourselves  by  a  solemn  promise  not  to  betray  each 
other.  Children  must  have  charmed  lives !  " 

"  You  are  hardly  out  of  childhood  yet." 

"  Wait  until  you  see  me  in  the  gorgeousness  of  a  train 
and  a  top-knot.  You  will  wonder  at  my  dignity.  Perhaps 
you  will  not  recognize  me.  The  gown  is  pink.  That  may 
be  some  help." 

"  Pink.    The  pink  roses  are  the  sweetest,  I  believe." 

She  nodded  with  a  spice  of  coquetry. 

"  And  now  are  we  to  crawl  through  this  dismal  glade  ? 
Think  of  Indians  lying  in  ambush !  " 

"  Nay,  do  not  spoil  a  pleasant  ride  by  such  a  grewsome 
suggestion." 

He  led  the  way,  and  they  soon  emerged  to  the  open 
again.  The  Capital  loomed  up;  the  scattered  houses 
made  quite  a  show,  after  all. 

That  evening  Roger  and  she  were  partners  at  whist 
against  his  mother  and  grandmother,  and  the  ladies  won. 

The  next  day  the  girls  went  over  to  Washington. 

"  I  wish  your  visit  could  have  been  longer,"  Mrs.  Car- 
rington  said.  "  I  should  have  enjoyed  asking  in  the 
young  people  about  here  and  having  a  dance." 

Patricia  was  very  sorry.  She  had  been  on  the  extreme 
confines  of  young-ladyhood. 

"  It  was  just  delightful !  "  Jaqueline  explained  to  Mrs. 
Jettson.  "  Both  ladies  are  lovely,  but  Madam  is  grand 
and  holds  you  in  a  little  awe.  She  looks  like  some  old 
picture  stepped  out  of  a  frame.  And  they  are  just  crazy 

75 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

over  girls — no,  you  cannot  imagine  such  stately  ladies  be 
ing  crazy  over  anything.  They  made  so  much  of  Patty 
that  she  put  on  airs." 

"  I'm  almost  as  tall  as  you,  Miss  Jaqueline !  " 

"  But  you  would  look  ridiculous  with  a  train  and  your 
hair  done  up  high,  and  a  mincing  step " 

"  I  didn't  think  that  you  minced  very  much !  "  inter 
rupted  the  younger.  "  I  saw  you  run  down  the  garden 
walk,  and  Mr.  Ralph  said "  making  a  sudden  halt. 

"Well,  wAaf  did  he  say?" 

Patty  paused,  for  she  recalled  the  fact  that  Mr.  Ralph's 
comment  had  been  distinctly  complimentary. 

"  Don't  dispute,  girls.  Patty,  you  are  nothing  but  a 
child,  if  you  are  tall,  and  you  know  you  wouldn't  like  to 
give  up  racing  and  climbing  and  dancing  to  old  Sam's  fid 
dle.  You  girls  do  have  the  best  of  everything,  while  poor 
Dolly  and  Marian " 

"  I'm  glad  grandpapa  isn't  any  real  relation  to  me ! " 
exclaimed  Patricia.  "  I  like  father  a  million  times 
better." 

"  That  comes  of  being  a  bachelor  when  you  are  married. 
I'm  sure  an  old  maid  couldn't  be  any  queerer.  But  then 
Mr.  Madison  is  said  to  be  very  indulgent  to  his  wife,  and 
I'm  sure  he  treats  her  like  a  prince.  And  father  seems  to 
be  just  as  bitter  against  him  as  he  was  against  Mr.  Jeffer 
son.  It  seems  to  me  the  world  goes  around  just  the 
same,  no  matter  who  is  President.  Mr.  Ralston  came  in 
this  morning  and  begged  me  to  send  for  Marian.  I 
couldn't  tell  him  exactly  why;  and  I'm  sure  I  wish  Mrs. 
Greaves  was  back  again,  and  there  wouldn't  be  any  look 
for  Marian." 

"  Lieutenant  Ralston  was  over  to  the  Carringtons'  a 
while  last  evening,"  said  Jaqueline,  and  somehow  she 
flushed  in  a  quick  manner  that  surprised  herself,  then 
added — "  Mr.  Carrington  will  be  at  the  levee." 

76 


A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE. 

"  Oh,  of  course.  It  will  be  a  fine  affair.  And  Congress 
will  adjourn  so  soon,  I  doubt  if  there  will  be  another. 
There  are  to  be  state  dinners  to  the  Cabinet  and  the  diplo 
mats,  but  next  winter  there  will  no  doubt  be  many  gay- 
eties.  Jaqueline,  you  must  run  to  bed  and  get  your  beauty 
sleep,  there  is  no  knowing  how  late  we  will  be  up  to-mor 
row  night." 

"  I  think  Jane  might  feel  a  little  sorry  that  I  can't  go," 
said  Patty  lugubriously,  as  they  were  preparing  for  bed. 
"  It's  Marian  all  the  time." 

"  You  don't  understand,  Patty " 

"  Yes  I  do.  That  handsome  young  Mr.  Ralston  is  in 
love  with  her,  and  grandpapa  is  going  to  make  her  marry 
that  old  Mr.  Greaves  because  he  has  a  big  farm  next  to 
his.  I'd  marry  the  man  I  liked." 

"  Nonsense !     I'm  not  thinking  about  marrying." 

"Jaqueline,  would  you  marry  Mr.  Roger?" 

"  I've  understood  that  it  was  good  manners  to  wait  until 
you  were  asked,"  turning  to  hide  a  blush. 

"  I  mean  to  marry  someone,"  answered  the  younger. 

"  Sleep  on  it  first,  Patty." 

The  next  afternoon  the  hairdresser  came  and  added 
much  state  to  Mrs.  Jettson's  appearance.  There  was 
pearl  powder,  a  luxury  to  be  indulged  in  only  on  great 
occasions.  And  though  rouge  was  used,  Mrs.  Jettson 
had  enough  color  of  her  own,  and  Jaqueline  was  resplen 
dent  with  youth  and  health. 

This  affair  was  in  the  state  drawing  room,  which  had 
grown  rather  shabby.  Congress  was  considering  an  ap 
propriation  of  five  thousand  dollars  for  refurnishing. 
The  sofas  were  stiff,  faded,  and  worn  threadbare,  and  the 
window  hangings  were  limp  and  had  lost  their  color.  But 
the  light  from  the  numerous  candles  softened  and  re 
lieved  the  impairment  of  time. 

Mrs.  Madison  was  in  the  yellow  velvet;  new  gowns 

77 


TA  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

were  not  considered  necessary  for  every  occasion.  Her 
beautiful  neck  and  arms,  which  still  kept  the  roundness 
of  early  womanhood,  were  adorned  with  strings  of  pearls, 
the  short  puffed  sleeves  rendered  still  prettier  by  a  fall  of 
exquisite  lace.  The  skirt  was  drawn  aside  and  displayed 
a  white  satin  petticoat  embroidered  with  gold  thread, 
and  her  slippers  were  adorned  with  buckles  that  almost 
covered  her  dainty  feet. 

About  her  were  arranged  the  members  of  the  official 
family,  the  ladies  on  one  side,  the  gentlemen  on  the  other. 
It  was  quite  a  little  court.  Most  of  the  senators  and  the 
wives  who  were  brave  enough  to  give  up  home  comforts 
to  spend  a  winter  in  Washington  had  already  met  Mrs. 
Madison ;  indeed,  by  this  time  there  were  not  many  among 
the  strangers  who  had  not  been  presented. 

And  so  Miss  Jaqueline  Mason  made  her  bow  to  the 
first  lady  of  the  land  and  glancing  up  with  a  quick  rift  of 
color  caught  the  cordial  smile  that  came  with  a  warm 
clasp  of  the  hand. 

"  You  have  a  good  old  Virginian  name,"  she  said. 
"  Many  of  us  are  proud  to  call  it  home.  It  is  my  second 
home,  the  first  in  my  affection  now,"  and  she  gave  the 
child  another  sweet  smile. 

Jaqueline  was  more  abashed  than  she  had  thought  pos 
sible.  She  stepped  aside  in  a  little  confusion. 

"  Ah,  here  is  Mr.  Carrington.  Shall  I  commend  this 
young  lady  to  your  care?  There  are  some  places  she 
might  like  to  see  and  some  curiosities.  You  are  so  much 
at  home  here." 

Roger  Carrington  bowed.  Mrs.  Jettson  had  found  a 
friend  in  the  wife  of  one  of  the  more  recent  senators,  and 
they  were  having  a  little  chat,  as  it  was  that  lady's  first 
visit  to  Washington  to  attend  the  inauguration.  So  Roger 
slipped  the  fair  hand  within  his  arm,  and  they  began  a 
tour  of  the  still  unfurnished  White  House,  though  much 

78 


A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE. 

nearer  completion  and  in  a  better  state  than  Abigail 
Adams  had  found  it  in  her  brief  sojourn. 

Mrs.  Madison's  tact  and  grace  had  brought  about  a 
more  congenial  state  of  affairs  even  while  wife  of  the 
secretary  of  state.  There  was  in  the  conduct  of  both 
men  and  women  a  trifle  of  formality  verging  to  a  certain 
grandeur,  yet  gracious  and  truly  courteous.  There  was 
no  mad  rush  then  for  the  first  places. 

Presently  the  company  broke  up  into  chatty  little  groups. 
Jaqueline  found  herself  quite  a  center  in  the  midst  of 
other  centers.  Here  were  two  or  three  elderly  men  who 
had  known  her  father.  She  saw  a  young  neighbor  in 
the  throng  whose  eyes  expressed  so  much  amazement  that 
she  could  not  help  smiling.  Lieutenant  Ralston  had  come 
in  his  soldier  trappings,  and  there  was  quite  a  sprinkling 
of  military  men,  with  others  in  the  Continental  costume 
that  gave  such  a  picturesque  aspect. 

Jaqueline  had  a  fresh,  girlish  charm,  and  to-night  she 
certainly  looked  lovely.  Women  and  girls,  when  they  were 
admitted  to  society,  were  expected  to  make  themselves 
agreeable.  No  abstruse  learning  was  required,  and 
though  they  might  have  strong  political  preferences  they 
were  delicately  veiled.  Mrs.  Madison  had  gone  through 
four  years  of  unusual  stress,  and  the  few  enemies  she  had 
made  were  only  those  who  envied  her  popularity.  She 
had  been  discretion  itself  outwardly,  and  her  opinions, 
her  conferences,  and  her  advice  had  been  lodged  only  in 
her  husband's  bosom. 

Jaqueline  had  no  care,  no  experience  to  conceal,  and  she 
had  already  tried  her  prentice  hand  on  the  students  at 
Williamsburg.  And  that  natural  art  of  making  men 
pleased  with  themselves,  that  charming  deference,  so 
great  a  factor  in  that  day,  was  hers  in  an  eminent  degree. 
Roger  Carrington  watched  her  as  she  caught  up  the 
merry  badinage  and  returned  it  with  gay  sparkles,  and 

79 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

the  pretty  air  that  was  half  girlish  demureness,  the  other 
half  the  indefinable  charm  of  budding  womanhood. 

Lieutenant  Ralston  took  her  in  to  the  refreshment  table 
set  in  the  large  dining  room. 

"  I  wonder  when  you  will  see  Miss  Floyd  ?  "  he  began 
in  a  low  tone.  "  I  hoped  to  the  last  moment  that  Mrs. 
Jettson  could  persuade  her  parents  to  let  her  sister  come 
for  a  few  days.  You  go  to  the  Pineries  quite  often  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes — some  of  us.  Father  has  a  truly  fervent 
regard  for  grandmamma,  and  the  girls  come  down  fre 
quently.  They  like  better  to  come  to  us,  I  think.  There 
is  no  real  fun  in  staying  at  the  Pineries.  Of  course  when 
we  were  children  we  went  dutifully." 

She  gave  a  soft,  light  laugh. 

Ralston  was  considering.  "  Mrs.  Jettson  would  be 
likely  to  know — of  a  visit  ?  "  hesitatingly. 

"  She  might — if  we  sent  her  the  word." 

"  I  wonder  if  you  will  ever  feel  friendly  enough  to  in 
vite  me?  I  like  your  father  extremely.  I  was  very  glad 
to  have  the  opportunity  of  meeting  him.  And  your 
mother.  You  know  we  are  all  interested  in  Kentucky 
just  now." 

"  I  think  my  parents  would  give  you  a  very  pleasant 
visit,"  Jaqueline  said  with  a  grave  yet  encouraging  smile. 
The  sort  of  conspiracy  interested  her.  It  was  quite 
tempting  to  be  able  to  hold  out  a  hand  of  encouragement 
to  Marian,  who  hated  the  dull  life  at  the  Pineries  and  did 
so  enjoy  amusement.  Then,  a  real  love  affair  thrilled 
Jaqueline  with  a  delightful  sensation. 

He  was  considering  how  to  obtain  the  invitation  honor 
ably,  when  she  furnished  the  key. 

"  I  think  you  would  like  my  brother  Louis,"  she  re 
marked  with  a  becoming  shade  of  diffidence  that  went  to 
his  heart,  it  wore  such  a  charming  air  of  innocence.  "  He 
will  be  home  in  the  early  summer,  and  he  always  comes 

80 


A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE. 

up  to  Mrs.  Jettson's  at  once.  Arthur  takes  a  great  inter 
est  in  him.  He  is  to  study  law  and  the  science  of  govern 
ment,  if  there  is  such  a  science.  Father  has  an  eye  to  the 
Presidency  for  him,  I  think." 

They  both  laughed  at  that. 

"  The  summer  is  a  long  way  off,"  he  commented  rather 
despondingly. 

"  The  robins  are  singing  and  violets  are  in  bloom.  At 
home,  no  doubt,  I  shall  find  trailing  arbutus." 

"  They  are  spring  indications." 

"  You  are  hard  to  satisfy." 

"  Am  I  ?  Well,  I  would  rather  have  that  reputation 
than  one  of  being  pleased  with  trifles." 

"  Sometimes  the  trifles  prove  very  agreeable." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cutts,  Mrs.  Madison's  favorite  sister, 
came  sauntering  slowly  down  with  a  bevy  of  friends, 
greeting  many  of  the  guests.  She  paused  and  glanced  at 
Jaqueline.  There  was  some  of  the  charming  affability 
about  her  that  characterized  the  wife  of  the  President. 
Indeed,  she  had  been  trained  on  the  same  lines. 

"  I  should  like  to  be  certain  of  this  young  lady's  name. 
I  did  not  quite  catch  it  when  she  was  introduced,"  Mrs. 
Cutts  said  in  a  tone  that  was  complimentary  in  itself. 

Lieutenant  Ralston  presented  his  companion,  who  in 
turn  was  presented  to  several  other  notables. 

"  Mason,"  she  repeated.  "  Yes,  I  should  guess  you 
were  a  Virginian.  My  sister,  you  know,  adores  her  home 
at  Montpellier.  Are  you  anywhere  in  her  vicinity  ?  That 
is,  when  she  is  in  her  true  home  ?  Though  we  have  both 
become  endeared  to  this  ugly,  unfinished  Washington 
that  we  all  have  to  look  at  by  the  eye  of  faith,  and  not 
only  that,  but  make  our  friends  see  through  the  same 
lenses.  Lieutenant  Ralston,  shall  we  ever  have  a  Capital 
worthy  of  the  nation  ?  " 

"  .That  knowledge  is  not  quite  in  my  line,"  he  returned 

Si 


rA  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

laughingly.  "  If  war  should  come  it  will  be  my  business 
to  fight  for  it.  And  you  can  recall  the  old  adage  that 
Rome  was  not  built  in  a  day.  Is  it  a  historical  fact  or  a 
Shaksperean  apothegm?  If  the  fact,  we  can  take  cour 
age  and  go  on." 

"  Why,  of  course  it  took  centuries  to  build  imperial 
Rome,"  and  Mrs.  Cutts'  eyes  twinkled  with  amusement. 

"  But  they  were  always  tearing  down,  you  remember. 
Every  emperor  demolished  so  much  that  his  predecessor 
had  done.  There  must  have  been  a  good  deal  to  start 
with." 

"  And  we  started  with  nothing.  I  wonder  anyone  had 
the  courage  to  leave  lovely,  refined,  and  gay  Philadelphia 
for  this  desert !  Now,  if  the  tent  had  even  been  pitched 
in  Baltimore  it  would  have  been  more  appropriate." 

"  But,  you  see,  when  we  built  a  country  we  wanted  to 
try  our  hand  at  building  a  Capital  to  match.  It  will  be 
fine  enough  when  it  is  done,  in  a  dozen  years  or  so.  And 
it  unites  the  warring  factions.  One  city  cannot  be  jealous 
of  another." 

"  Miss  Mason,  this  young  man  bewilders  me  and  leads 
me  astray.  See  what  it  is  to  be  a  soldier  and  a  patriot. 
Now  I  am  going  to  carry  you  off  and  introduce  you  to 
some  girls.  Are  you  going  to  stay  long  enough  to  go  to  a 
ball  ?  Every  Virginia  girl  dances." 

She  was  so  bright  and  pretty  that  Mrs.  Cutts  was  oddly 
interested  in  her. 

"  Oh,  I  adore  dancing  and  riding !  But  I  am  afraid — 
my  father  is  to  send  for  me  in  a  few  days.  If  he  were 
coming  himself  I  might  beg  off.  Your  suggestion  is  so 
tempting." 

"  Perhaps  you  can.  Now,  here  are  some  young  people 
you  must  know,"  and  turning  away  from  the  elders  she 
introduced  Jaqueline  to  a  merry  group. 

"  Miss  Mason  and  I  are  old  friends,"  declared  Roger 

82 


A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE. 

Carrington  with  a  smile.     "  She  has  been  visiting  with 
us  and  left  us  inconsolable." 

"  Quite  a  compliment  to  your  charms." 

Jaqueline  blushed.  "  Or  to  the  delightful  hospitality 
of  Madam  and  Mrs.  Carrington.  My  sister  was  with  me, 
and  she  was  quite  melancholy.  We  did  have  a  charming 
visit.  I  am  afraid  we  shall  be  so  spoiled  that  our  Vir 
ginia  wilds  will  prove  desert  wastes." 

"  Mr.  Carrington,  you  must  manage  to  keep  Miss  Ma 
son  over.  The  Dearborns  are  to  give  the  young  people  a 
ball.  We  want  it  to  be  the  event  of  the  season,  and  that 
will  soon  be  ended,  alas !  And  we  must  gather  the  beauty 
and  the  chivalry." 

There  was  quite  a  gay  little  whirl  for  some  moments 
and  more  merry  badinage.  More  than  one  envious 
eye  was  cast  upon  the  young  girl,  for  Roger  Carrington 
was  considered  one  of  the  prizes  in  the  matrimonial 
market.  Sir  Augustus  Foster,  who  was  secretary  of  the 
English  Legation  some  years  before,  had  said  there  was 
no  lack  of  handsome  women,  and  that  he  never  saw 
prettier  girls  anywhere,  and  that  the  City  was  one  of  the 
most  marrying  places  on  the  whole  continent. 

"  We  missed  you  so  very  much,"  Roger  began,  when  he 
had  detached  her  a  little  from  the  group.  "  I  had  half  a 
mind  to  come  and  confiscate  one  of  you." 

"  Patty  would  have  been  glad  enough." 

"  But  you  were  full  of  pleasure !  Perhaps  we  seemed 
dull  to  you  ?  We  are  rather  quiet  folk." 

He  uttered  the  pronoun  quite  decisively,  so  much  so 
that  it  brought  the  color  to  her  cheek. 

"  Oh,  no,  it  was  not  dull !     I  enjoyed  it  extremely." 

"  And  if  you  stay  for  the  ball  will  you  not  come  over 
again?  Mother  liked  you  both  so  much.  You  will  find 
it  delightful  at  the  Dearborns'.  And  I  shall  claim  some 
dances." 

83 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  You  will  hardly  be  crowded  out,  in  that  happy  event," 
she  returned  brightly. 

Then  there  were  some  other  introductions  to  noted 
people.  Colonel  Monroe  was  standing  by,  and  shared 
them.  Mrs.  Madison  came  presently,  leaning  on  Mr. 
Clinton's  arm. 

"  I  hope  you  have  had  a  pleasant  time,"  the  lady  said 
graciously ;  "  and  that  we  shall  see  you  frequently.  I  am 
very  fond  of  young  people." 

"  I  felt  as  if  I  ought  to  kiss  her  hand,"  Jaqueline  whis 
pered,  with  a  scarlet  face,  to  her  companion.  "  That  is  the 
obeisance  people  are  expected  to  pay  to  a  queen." 

"  Not  in  a  republic.  And  every  lady  is  a  queen  to  a 
man  at  some  period  of  her  life." 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Carrington !  no  one  would  suspect  you  of 
such  a  pretty  speech." 

"  Wouldn't  they  ?  Do  I  look  as  if  I  had  no  courteous 
speeches  at  my  command  ?  " 

He  looked  very  handsome  and  winning  at  that  moment. 

The  company  was  breaking  up.  People  came  and  went 
early  on  these  occasions.  Mrs.  Jettson  hunted  up  her 
charge. 

"  I  declare,  Jaqueline,  you  have  been  one  of  the  belles 
of  the  evening.  Such  a  mere  chit,  too !  And  you  looked 
very  grand  parading  around  with  Ralston  and  Mr.  Car 
rington.  Poor  Marian !  It  is  a  shame  she  couldn't  have 
been  here.  And,  Jaqueline,  please  don't  forget  that  Lieu 
tenant  Ralston  in  a  way  belongs  to  her." 

The  tone  was  rather  sharp,  but  Jaqueline  was  too  happy 
to  resent  it.  Other  young  men  had  noticed  her,  as  well. 

"He  does  not  forget  it.  He  was  very  sorry  she  was 
not  here,"  Jaqueline  replied  after  a  moment. 

The  well-trained  maid  helped  them  on  with  their  wraps, 
and  the  footman  found  their  carriage. 

Yes,  Jaqueline  was  a  pretty  girl,  Jane  ruminated;  but 

84 


A  TOUCH  OF  NATURE. 

so  much  attention  would  soon  turn  her  head.  She  was 
proud  of  her,  and  yet  a  little  jealous  for  her  sister's  sake, 
who  could  enjoy  pleasure  quite  as  well.  And  Lieutenant 
Ralston  was  in  the  way  of  promotion,  if  he  was  not  rich. 

The  very  next  day  a  message  came  from  Mr.  Mason.  A 
friend  would  be  in  Washington  on  Monday,  and  Tuesday 
morning  they  must  be  ready  to  start  home  with  him.  It 
was  too  late  to  get  word  back,  and  Jane  took  it  for 
granted  that  they  must  go.  Jaqueline  gave  a  sigh  and 
was  minded  to  shed  a  few  tears,  but  on  Saturday  Mrs. 
Carrington  drove  over  for  the  girls  to  spend  the  Sunday 
with  them. 

"  Try  and  not  be  too  coquettish,  Jaqueline.  It  makes 
a  young  girl  seem  very  forward,"  Mrs.  Jettson  advised. 

"  Jane  is  growing  unpleasant,"  Jaqueline  thought  to 
herself.  "  She  wants  Marian  in  everything." 

However,  after  the  ball  and  one  more  levee  there  was 
not  much  gayety  in  the  City.  Congress  adjourned,  sena 
tors  and  representatives  went  home  to  consider  at  their 
leisure  the  grave  questions  pending.  Mrs.  Madison  was 
much  engrossed  in  the  judicious  use  of  the  grant  Con 
gress  had  made.  There  were  some  new  mirrors  set,  some 
dining-room  furniture  and  china,  new  curtains  and  hang 
ings,  and  upholstery  done  in  gorgeous  brocaded  yellow 
satin.  Still  further,  there  was  added  a  pianoforte;  and 
the  President  ordered  a  chariot  in  Philadelphia  for  his 
wife,  and  the  two  horses  were  increased  to  four.  The 
White  House  was  to  make  a  character  for  itself. 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 
CHAPTER   VII. 

THE    BEGINNING    OF    A    LOVE    STORY. 

"\A7HY,  you  can  just  ask  him  down  as  you  do  any  other 
friend,"  said  Jaqueline  with  an  air  of  innocence. 
"  I  half  promised  he  should  have  the  invitation.     You  will 
like  him  ever  so  much.     7  like  him,"  laughingly. 

"  But  Polly  is  coming " 

"  Don't  ever  let  grandfather  hear  that  '  Polly,'  or  he 
won't  even  leave  you  enough  to  buy  a  mourning  ring. 
He  thinks  so  highly  of  old  English  customs.  What  a 
chum  he  would  have  been  for  Sir  Charles  Grandison! 
Are  people  born  too  late  or  too  early!  What  are  you 
smiling  at  ?  " 

"  The  way  you  leap  from  one  thing  to  another." 

"  Which  shows  a  variety  of  wit  and  knowledge,  young 
collegian.  Didn't  Shakspere  call  it  nimble  wit?  I  have 
learned  a  great  many  things  since  I  saw  you  last." 

"  In  an  hour  ?  "  incredulously,  and  Louis  raised  his  fine 
brows. 

"  One  might  learn  many  things  in  an  hour.  And  now, 
Mr.  Tender  Conscience,  don't  worry  about  Polly,  as  you 
have  taken  to  calling  her.  She  may  come,  and  she  may 
not.  And  if  she  comes  she  may  be  sent  for  the  very  next 
day.  The  Fairfaxes  are  sure  to  come;  they  have  ac 
cepted.  I  warn  you  that  Betty  is  a  dreadful  coquette. 
And  Georgie  Baker,  and  the  Carringtons — at  least  Roger. 
And  he  is  great  friends  with  Mr.  Ralston." 

"  But  we  must  not  get  in  a  row  with  grandfather. 
And  a  girl  who  hasn't  spunk  enough  to  stand  up  for  the 
man  she  loves " 

"  Perhaps  she  isn't  really  in  love  with  him.  That  ought 
to  give  any  girl  courage — to  run  some  risks." 

86 


THE   BEGINNING   OF   A    LOVE    STORY. 

"  Well — I'm  off.  A  long  and  sad  farewell,"  and  the 
young  man  assumed  a  tragic  air. 

"  Very  good,"  she  returned  gravely.  "  Does  a  young 
man  appreciate  his  inestimable  privileges  when  he  has  a 
sister  on  whom  he  can  practice  ?  " 

He  laughed  and  kissed  her.  Jaqueline  went  to  her 
room  and  wrote  a  very  properly  worded  letter  to  Marian. 
Maum  Chloe  had  two  new  pudding  recipes  that  were  de 
licious.  She  had  the  latest  sleeve  pattern,  and  Madam 
Weare  had  been  to  spend  the  day,  and  wore  such  a  lovely 
cap  that  she  was  quite  sure  grandmamma  would  like  it. 
They  had  concocted  one  out  of  some  old  mull,  the  torn 
breadth  of  a  gown,  and  Marian  could  take  it  home.  Then 
Elizabeth  Fairfax  was  making  some  of  the  prettiest 
darned  lace,  a  Vandyke  cape  that  was  just  coming  in,  and 
she  would  be  here  for  a  few  days  next  week.  If  Marian 
could  come  dowrn,  even  if  she  could  only  stay  one 
night.  The  week  afterward  there  would  be  an  influx  of 
company.  It  would  be  just  delightful  to  have  her  and 
Dolly  then — perhaps  they  might  be  able  to  come — but 
Marian  had  better  come  and  stay  over.  They  would  not 
want  to  be  poking  over  lace-making  and  all  that  when 
there  was  lots  of  fun  going  on. 

Shrewd  as  Grandmother  Floyd  was  she  fell  into  the 
trap  so  adroitly  set  by  this  flighty  young  person. 

"  Madam  Weare  is  very  genteel  in  her  tastes  and  is  not 
given  to  foolish  things  because  they  are  new.  I  hardly 
know  anyone  who  dresses  so  suitably.  I  do  think  Louis 
or  Jaqueline  might  have  ridden  up.  And  I  do  not  see 
what  Patricia  is  about,  or  your  uncle  either,  to  let  Jaque 
line  have  her  head  so  much.  She  ought  to  be  learning 
something  useful.  The  Fairfaxes  are  well  enough,  a 
nice  family,  and  Elizabeth  is  a  very  well-behaved  girl 
— industrious,  too.  But  I'd  like  to  see  the  lace 
Jaqueline  will  make !  "  with  a  strong  touch  of  scorn 

87 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

in  her  voice,  and  a  slight  lifting  of  the  nose  to  make 
it  more  emphatic. 

"  The  Vandyke  capes  are  very  pretty  and  graceful. 
Mrs.  Lee  brought  one  from  Paris,  and  it  cost  a  fortune," 
remarked  Marian.  "  And  darned  net " 

"  I  think  I  know  what  it  is.  Of  course  it  is  the  pattern 
and  the  amount  of  work  that  makes  it  valuable.  You 
might  do  one  through  the  course  of  the  summer, 
Marian." 

"  If  I  knew  how  " — and  the  girl  gave  a  little  sigh. 

"  Let  me  see  the  letter."  Marian  had  been  reading  it 
aloud.  "  I  don't  know  but  you  might  go,  but  I  don't  care 
to  have  you  in  the  rabble  of  the  week  after.  It  would  be 
a  grand  thing  if  that  young  Carrington  would  fancy 
Jaqueline  and  she  would  have  sense  enough  to  accept  him. 
But  such  girls  go  through  the  woods  and  take  a  crooked 
stick  at  last." 

Nothing  more  was  said  for  a  day  or  two.  Marian 
found  an  old  engraving  of  a  Vandyke  collar  and  cuffs, 
only  they  were  done  in  point  lace.  What  kind  of  net 
was  used,  she  wondered.  And  then  her  mother  decided 
she  would  go  down  for  the  day  and  leave  Marian  for  a 
night  or  two.  But  grandfather  had  a  poorly  spell,  and 
she  thought  it  best  not  to  leave  him.  Marian  rode  her 
horse  down,  attended  by  old  Cato,  who  had  to  go  to 
Alexandria  on  some  business  and  would  escort  her  home 
on  the  third  day. 

"  Oh,  good  gracious !  "  cried  Jaqueline ;  "  if  she  had 
come !  For  the  rabble  is  here  already,  and  someone  you 
will  like  to  see.  They've  gone  off  fishing.  Betty  and 
Hester  Fairfax  and  Georgie  Baker  are  out  on  the  west 
porch.  We're  in  for  a  good  time.  Mr.  Ralston  and 
Roger  Carrington  came  down  with  Louis,  and  to-night 
we  are  going  to  have  a  little  dance." 

"  Mother  approves  of  Elizabeth  Fairfax.     And  I  do 


THE    BEGINNING   OF   A   LOVE    STORY. 

want  to  know  about  the  Vandyke  cape  and  the  cap  pat 
tern.  Oh,  Jacky !  " 

Marian  clasped  her  arms  about  her  cousin,  and  the 
obnoxious  name  was  forgiven.  For  the  warm  pressure 
was  full  of  gratitude. 

"  You  are  so  wise  about  things,  Jaqueline.  Of  course 
mother  sees  all  our  letters " 

"  As  if  I  didn't  know  that,"  laughed  Jaqueline. 

"  But  I  wonder — oh,  Jaqueline,  do  you  suppose  I  will 
have  to  marry  Mr.  Greaves  ?  You  see,  father  has  set  his 
heart  upon  it.  And  I  should  be  so  near  them,  and  so " 

"  The  idea !  A  man  double  your  age,  and  four  chil 
dren  !  You  don't  even  like  him.  What  is  youth  for  but 
a  time  to  be  merry  and  glad  and  to  have  good  times? 
And  it  was  a  shame  you  could  not  come  to  Washington ! 
Lieutenant  Ralston  would  have  taken  you  everywhere, 
and  Jane  was  up  to  white  heat  about  it.  It  was  all  splen 
did.  You're  not  engaged — you  can't  have  been  so 
foolish !  " 

"  Oh,  Jaqueline !  I  wish  I  had  your " 

"  Spunk !  "  Jaqueline  exclaimed  with  a  laugh,  while 
Marian  was  considering. 

"  You  see,  no  one  really  governs  you.  Your  father  is 
so  indulgent." 

"  Oh,  I  don't  have  quite  everything  my  own  way,  I 
assure  you!  But  what  have  you  done  in  this  matter?" 

"  Why,  Mr.  Greaves  has  explained  to  father  and 
mother.  Of  course  he  will  not  say  anything  to  me  until 
the  year  is  up.  He  is  very  punctilious,  and  I  am  so  glad 
he  believes  in  the  year.  He  comes  over  and  we  have  a 
game  of  whist,  which  I  hate,  and  get  out  of  when  there  is 
other  company.  But  father  expects  me  to  stay  in  the 
room.  Occasionally  he  questions  me  about  something — 
household  affairs  generally.  Mrs.  Greaves  was  an  excel 
lent  housekeeper — much  superior  to  his  sister,  he  thinks." 

89 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON, 

"  Oh,  Marian !  I  should  die  if  I  had  to  marry  such  a 
man.  Come,  let  us  go  down  to  the  girls  and  forget  all 
about  him.  Cassy  will  put  away  your  things." 

Marian  lingered. 

"Well — what  else?"  impatiently.  "You  don't  really 
want  to  tell  me  that  you  have  a  fancy  for  this  wretched 
old  fellow?" 

"  Oh,  no,  no !  But,  Jaqueline — of  course  I  did  not 
know  Mr.  Ralston  would  be  here,  yet  I  had  a  sort  of  pre 
sentiment  that  you  had  planned  something.  And  is  it 
quite  fair,  do  you  think?  I  mean  honest  to — to  enjoy  it 
all?  I  am  afraid  he  likes  me." 

"  I  am  quite  sure  he  does.  But  I  wasn't  sure  of  his 
coming.  Louis  met  him  at  Jane's,  and  likes  him  im 
mensely.  There  are  other  girls  here — it  isn't  at  all  as  if 
you  were  the  only  guest.  Don't  worry,  but  let  matters 
take  their  course.  Come  and  see  the  lace-making." 

The  three  girls  welcomed  Marian  warmly.  Elizabeth 
Fairfax  was  nearly  her  own  age,  Hester  younger,  and 
Georgie  Jaqueline's  compeer  and  near  neighbor.  Eliza 
beth  had  a  sweet  Madonna  face,  with  large,  downcast  eyes 
and  a  soft,  deferential  voice,  but  the  eyes  did  ready  execu 
tion  on  the  hearts  of  the  young  men.  She  was  always 
busy  about  something,  and  it  was  a  study  to  watch  her 
hands,  they  were  so  shapely  and  beautiful. 

Georgie  was  recounting  amusing  episodes,  and  in  a  few 
moments  they  were  all  laughing  and  talking.  A  table 
near  by  was  loaded  with  fruit  and  cake,  and  a  pitcher  of 
homemade  "  shrub "  gave  them  a  delectable  nectar. 
Betty  had  attended  the  inauguration,  and  as  Marian  lis 
tened  her  heart  grew  hot  and  rebellious  that  she  should 
have  been  kept  from  the  pleasure.  She  and  her  sister  had 
been  trained  to  a  sharp  obedience,  kept  in  bonds  like  very 
children.  Mr.  Floyd  had  never  cordially  approved  of 
his  son-in-law.  He  considered  it  almost  a  crime  to  have 

90 


THE  BEGINNING  OF  A  LOVE  STORY. 

been  born  north  of  Baltimore,  and  Mr.  Jettson  had  grown 
up  in  northern  New  York,  and  to  some  extent  made  his 
own  fortune.  Jane  had  gone  to  Philadelphia  for  a  year's 
schooling  with  an  old  friend  of  Mrs.  Floyd's  and  come 
home  engaged.  Mr.  Jettson  had  a  business  proffer  in 
Washington,  and  somehow  the  marriage  was  pushed 
through  in  haste.  Mr.  Floyd  had  an  objection  to  new 
people,  to  business  people,  to  the  manner  in  which  things 
were  being  conducted  at  Washington,  and  to  the  Jeffer 
son  party  generally.  But  he  was  fond  of  his  daughter, 
and  though  he  would  not  have  confessed  it  he  did  ad 
mire  her  style,  her  knowledge  of  the  City,  and  the  fact 
that  she  was  in  the  best  society.  But,  after  all,  a  large 
landed  estate  gave  a  man  true  dignity.  Mr.  Greaves 
agreed  with  him  in  politics,  was  of  good  old  stock,  and 
had  aristocratic  tastes,  while  Arthur  Jettson  really  was 
plebeian.  Since  there  was  an  opportunity  Marian  should 
marry  to  his  liking. 

"  I've  been  telling  about  your  cape,  Betty,  and  Marian 
wants  to  know  how  to  do  it.  Spread  it  out.  There,  isn't 
that  lovely?" 

The  Brussels  net  was  fine,  and  the  flowers  were  made 
in  outline  and  filled  in  with  stitches  that  seemed  a  little 
raised,  they  were  so  close  together,  and  had  a  satin-like 
effect.  The  shape  was  very  graceful,  with  the  points  at 
the  shoulders  and  in  front. 

Fine  needlework  and  lace-making  were  much  esteemed. 
For  years  imported  articles  had  been  very  high,  besides 
the  difficulty  of  getting  them  unless  one  went  abroad. 
Beautiful  specimens  have  come  down  to  us,  and  one  won 
ders  at  the  patience  and  taste,  when  there  were  so  many 
cares  to  life.  Occasionally  a  slave  woman  evinced  a 
peculiar  genius  for  this  delicate  work,  and  the  family  con 
sidered  her  quite  a  treasure. 

"  It  is  exquisite !  "  declared  Marian,  who  was  no  mean 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

needlewoman  herself.  Indeed,  the  work  rather  bewitched 
her.  "  Oh,  I  really  must  have  one !  But  it  will  take  a 
great  deal  of  time." 

"  Why,  you  see  I  have  mine  three-quarters  done,  and 
I  take  it  up  at  odd  spells  and  when  I  go  visiting.  And  it 
is  very  easy  when  you  once  get  started.  You  see,  you  fol 
low  the  pattern  in  outlining.  Then,  some  of  my  leaves 
and  flowers  are  not  wholly  rilled,  and  it  has  a  very  pretty 
effect,  making  a  variety  and  less  work.  Jaqueline,  can't 
you  find  a  bit  of  lace ;  and  Marian  may  outline  this  end  of 
the  pattern,  and  I  can  show  her  some  of  the  stitches  be 
fore  the  boys  come  home.  We  are  going  to  ride  then,  I 
believe,  and  dance  in  the  evening.  We  improve  all  our 
time  when  we  are  over  here." 

"  I  shall  be  delighted,"  returned  Marian.  Jaqueline 
found  some  lace,  and  Marian  went  at  the  work  eagerly. 
They  spiced  the  employment  with  merry  gossip  and 
laughter  and  bits  of  teasing.  The  squire  and  Mrs.  Ma 
son  came  home  from  a  business  drive  to  a  neighboring 
town.  They  had  taken  the  two  little  girls  for  to-day; 
Varina  had  been  in  a  most  amiable  mood.  Then  the 
fishermen  returned,  rather  disgusted  with  their  want  of 
luck. 

"  You  know  we  did  not  want  you  to  go,"  and  Elizabeth 
raised  her  soft,  reproving  eyes. 

Mr.  Ralston  came  around  to  Marian's  side. 

"  This  is  a  pleasant  surprise.  I  was  hoping  all  the 
time.  Only  Miss  Mason  is  such  a  torment.  She  was 
quite  sure  you  wouldn't  come.  We  almost  quarreled 
about  it  this  morning.  And  yet  she  is  a  charming  girl. 
This  house  is  the  very  embodiment  of  comfort  and  de 
light.  I  suppose  you  know  I  met  the  Masons  at  the  in 
auguration?  Oh,  you  can't  think  how  disappointed  I 
was!  I  had  counted  so  on  seeing  you." 

Marian  Floyd  glanced  in  the  speaker's  eyes  and  hers 

92 


THE   BEGINNING   OF   A   LOVE    STORY. 

fell,  while  a  fluttering  color  crept  up  her  face  and  her 
whole  body  seemed  to  thrill  as  at  the  touch  of  some  sub 
tle  magnetism.  She  suddenly  wished  he  would  go  away ; 
he  seemed  to  take  the  strength  out  of  her. 

"  Are  you  glad  to  see  me  ?  "  in  a  breathless  sort  of  way 
that  seemed  to  demand  an  affirmative. 

"  Yes."  She  did  not  mean  to  say  it.  The  word  came 
of  its  own  accord.  It  was  almost  as  if  she  had  answered 
it  to  another  question. 

"  Come,  fellows,"  began  Louis,  "  let  us  drop  our  ple 
beian  garb,  with  its  ancient,  fishlike  smell." 

"  That's  good,  considering  there  wasn't  fish  enough  to 
make  any  sort  of  smell.  Keep  truth  on  your  side." 

"  And  misquoting  Shakspere,  when  it  has  been  pre 
sented  to  us  all  winter  in  every  aspect!  Williamsburg 
has  had  a  feast  or  a  surfeit  from  college  exercises  to  stroll 
ing  players — some  very  good  ones,  too.  Jaqueline,  have 
you  ordered  the  horses  ?  " 

"  Why,  no !  " 

"  Then  go  at  once,  while  we  make  ourselves  beautiful. 
We  shall  not  have  too  much  time." 

Mr.  Carrington  had  gone  immediately  to  his  room, 
and  came  down  as  Jaqueline  was  going  through  the 
hall. 

"  The  fishing  was  not  much  of  a  success.  I  would 
rather  have  sat  under  the  trees  and  talked  to  you.  Ah, 
here  is  your  father." 

When  they  had  greeted  each  other  Jaqueline  ex 
plained  her  errand. 

"  Let  us  all  go  out  together !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Carring 
ton.  "  My  poor  fellow  will  be  glad  to  see  me." 

"  Marian  must  have  a  fresh  horse ;  she  rode  hers  all  the 
way  down.  Oh,  there  are  the  Johnsons!  Just  in  time 
for  the  fray,"  and  she  nodded  over  to  two  young  men 
sauntering  up  the  avenue. 

93 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Jaqueline,  you  ride  the  mare  and  give  Marian  your 
pony.  I  will  go  out  and  see  to  things." 

Jaqueline  turned  back,  and  the  two  young  men  gallantly 
dismounted,  escorting  her  to  the  porch,  where  soon  the 
five  girls  assembled  in  equestrian  array,  and  the  five  cava 
liers  were  at  their  service. 

"  Do  not  stay  out  too  late,"  admonished  the  squire. 

Marian  hesitated.  Louis  led  off  with  Elizabeth,  who 
was  much  amused  at  the  young  collegian's  aplomb.  Hes 
ter  was  supposed  to  have  a  more  than  friendly  interest  in 
the  elder  Johnson  brother.  Mr.  Carrington  kept  close  to 
Jaqueline,  and  Ralston  wheeled  his  horse  around  to 
Marian's  side. 

"  I  wonder  if  there  is  a  little  fate  in  that  ?  "  and  the 
squire  nodded  to  the  last  couple.  "  Father  has  other 
plans  for  Marian." 

"  You  don't  mean  that  he  is  in  real  earnest  about  that 
widower  and  the  houseful  of  children  ?  "  inquired  Mrs. 
Mason. 

"  And  you  did  not  hesitate  at  five ! "  smiling  humor 
ously. 

"  I  did  hesitate.  I  think  you  can  never  know  how 
much.  But  I  was  older  and  more  experienced,  and  a 
good  deal  in  love  with  the  father  of  the  children,"  flushing 
girlishly,  "  while  Marian  shrinks  from  Mr.  Greaves.  I  do 
not  think  he  would  attract  any  young  girl.  Jane  feels 
dreadfully  about  it.  I  like  Lieutenant  Ralston  very 
much  myself." 

"  He  is  a  fine  fellow,  but  not  really  abounding  in  this 
world's  goods,  and  that  goes  a  great  way  with  father." 

"  Suppose  it  were  Jaqueline  ?  " 

"  I  had  rather  it  would  be  Carrington." 

"But  if  she  loved  him?" 

"  I  do  not  think  Marian  is  in  love  with  anybody.  I 
suppose  I  am  too  lax,  but  father  Floyd  is  too  rigid.  And 

94 


THE   BEGINNING   OF   A   LOVE    STORY. 

mother  upholds  him.  The  girls  have  been  trained  to 
obey.  What  will  you  do  when  Jaqueline  refuses  some 
nice,  suitable,  prosperous  young  man  and  sets  her  heart 
on  a  spendthrift — a  ne'er-do-well  ?  " 

"  Turn  her  over  to  her  father." 

Mr.  Mason  shrugged  his  shoulders,  and  his  eyes 
twinkled. 

"And  Annis?" 

"  That  is  going  a  long  way  off." 

"  But  it  isn't  wisdom  to  throw  Marian  in  temptation's 
way  when  it  can  only  bring  about  trouble." 

"  If  Marian  really  fell  in  love  that  would  solve  the  diffi 
culty.  Youth  ought  to  mate  with  youth.  Then  both 
have  the  springtime  of  love.  Did  not  you  find  it  sweet? 
Answer  truly." 

He  smiled,  and  was  silent  a  moment.  Then  he  bent 
over  and  kissed  her. 

"  The  summer  has  a  richness  as  well.  A  cold,  unto 
ward  spring  never  makes  a  fruitful  summer." 

Then  Mrs.  Mason  turned  away  to  household  cares. 
Charles  was  walking  under  the  larches  with  his  arm  about 
Annis'  waist.  He  was  suddenly  shooting  up — a  Mason 
trick — and  was  taller  than  the  little  girl  and  very  devoted 
to  her.  Varina  was  upstairs  trying  on  three  different 
newly  ironed  white  frocks.  Patricia  had  gone  to  visit 
Aunt  Catharine. 

"  Chloe,  have  you  made  preparations  for  a  host  at  sup 
per,  and  a  hungry  host  again  about  nine  o'clock?  I 
should  call  it  a  party." 

"  Supper's  all  right.  Dere's  biskit  'nuff  for  a  regimen'. 
And  cake  by  de  bushel.  Chloe  see  company  afore  in  dis 
ole  house.  De  ham  pink  as  a  rose  and  de  col'  chicken 
'nuff  to  make  yer  mouf  water.  An'  cream  an'  jells  an' 
fruit.  De  young  folks  no  need  to  go  to  bed  hungry." 

The  mistress  smiled. 

95 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Jest  take  a  peep  at  de  table." 

The  snowy  cloth,  ironed  to  perfection,  the  quaint  old 
silver  service,  the  sparkling  glass  and  china  of  various 
dates,  and  the  great  bowls  of  flowers  made  a  picture. 
Through  the  open  windows  came  the  soft  low  caroling 
of  birds  calling  each  other  home,  and  the  tranquil  noises 
of  a  country  evening  were  like  wafts  of  music.  How  de 
lightful  to  be  amongst  it  all,  and  at  home !  Yes,  love  was 
the  great  evangel  of  human  life. 

The  ride  was  most  delightful.  Gay  young  people  seize 
every  salient  point  of  enjoyment.  They  were  a  little  late 
to  supper,  which  was  a  mirthful  meal;  then  Sam  and 
Darius  began  to  tune  their  fiddles  on  the  porch,  and  some 
young  neighbors  were  added;  and  as  no  night  was  ever 
too  warm  to  dance,  they  had  a  merry  time. 

There  was  another  long  day  of  enjoyment  to  Marian 
Floyd.  They  went  down  to  the  bank  of  the  Potomac  on 
a  picnic,  with  loads  of  provisions.  They  rambled  about; 
they  had  a  lazy,  drifting  sail  adown  the  shadiest  bank; 
they  sang  and  jested,  and  went  home  gay,  tired,  happy, 
full  of  the  gladness  of  youth. 

Marian  was  sharing  Jaqueline's  room  from  choice. 
The  latter  had  grown  into  young-ladyhood  so  rapidly 
that  it  hardly  seemed  as  if  there  was  much  difference  in 
their  ages,  even  though  Marian  was  so  much  more  sedate, 
and  latterly  had  become  rather  timid. 

"  I  have  had  such  a  good  time ! "  she  said  with  a  sigh. 
"  I  don't  know  when  I  have  enjoyed  anything  so  much. 
There  are  so  few  young  people  around  the  Pineries. 
Mother  will  be  just  delighted  with  that  pudding,  but 
she  will  think  I  ought  to  have  done  more  lacework.  I 
wonder  if  I  will  have  time  to  finish  that  flower  in  the 
morning  ?  " 

"  You  can  get  up  early,"  suggested  Jaqueline.  "  Very 
early — for  we  are  going  for  a  canter  before  breakfast." 

96 


THE   BEGINNING   OF   A   LOVE    STORY. 

"  Well — Cato  can't  get  here  before  ten,  I  think.  That 
will  be  after  breakfast." 

"  Then  you  can  come  to  bed  with  a  clear  conscience. 
I  think  I  am  asleep  everywhere  but  the  tip  of  my  tongue 
and  a  little  spot  in  my  brain." 

"  And— I  wanted  to  talk  to  you." 

Jaqueline  tumbled  into  bed  and  squeezed  up  her  pil 
low. 

"  Talk  fast,"  she  said  good-humoredly. 

Marian  sat  down  on  the  side  of  the  bed,  combing  her 
hair  and  twisting  it  up  in  two  soft  coils.  Then  she  put 
on  her  nightcap,  a  dainty  bit  of  lawn  and  ruffling,  and 
looked  pretty  enough  to  charm  anyone. 

"  I  don't  know  what  to  do !  Oh,  Jacky,  I  am  the  hap 
piest  girl  and  the  most  miserable  girl  alive !  " 

Jaqueline  raised  on  her  elbow,  quite  wide  awake  at  the 
admission. 

"  Did  you  guess  that  Lieutenant  Ralston  cared  ?  It  is 
so — so  wonderful  to  have  a  real  lover,  who  can  put  his 
meaning  in  his  eyes  and  in  the  clasp  of  his  hand,  and  make 
you  feel  it  all  about  you,  just  that  way  your  father  loves 
your  mother.  All  day  to-day  I  have  been  in  that  curi 
ous  tremble;  I  wanted  to  look  and  I  did  not  dare,  and 
then  I  looked  in  spite  of  myself.  And  this  evening " 

"  Yes — I  managed  that  you  should  go  off  by  your 
selves.  And  now,  Polly,  you  won't  marry  that  Mr. 
Greaves  ?  " 

"Oh,  what  can  I  do?  You  see,  father  is  set  upon  it. 
And  Mr.  Ralston  wants  to  come  up  and  ask  father,  and  I 
didn't  dare  tell  him  about  it,  and  don't  know  what  to  do." 

"  Why,  let  him  come  up.  And  if  grandpapa  won't  give 
in,  I'd  run  away,  that's  all.  Oh,  Polly,  I  am  so  glad !  It 
must  be  just  lovely !  Though  I  do  not  want  to  be  engaged 
just  yet.  I  like  fun.  And  there  are*  so  many  fine  gentle 
men  in  Washington  who  say  such  pretty  complimentary 

97 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

things  and  dance  so  beautifully,  and  Mrs.  Carrington 
expects  me  to  make  her  a  long  visit  next  winter.  I'd 
rather  have  a  dozen  lovers  than  just  one.  But  it  is  differ 
ent  with  you,  and  you  are  older;  and  at  home  grand 
mamma  treats  you  like  a  little  child.  Yes,  I'd  let  him 
come  and  have  it  over." 

"  But  it  would  be  awful.  I  never  could  get  the  courage 
to  tell;  and  if  father  was  taken  by  surprise " 

"  Why,  I  should  say  that  a  friend  was  coming " 

"  But  he  knows  that  Mr.  Ralston  paid  me  a  good  deal 
of  attention  when  I  was  at  Jane's,  and  that  was  why  he 
would  not  let  me  go  to  the  inauguration.  And  if  I  were 
to  say  he  had  been  here  two  days,  and  I  had  ridden  and 
walked  with  him,  and  he  had  said — he  did  not  ask  me  to 
be  engaged  of  course,  until  he  had  seen  father." 

"And  what  did  you  say?  You  couldn't  refuse  al 
together?" 

"  I  am  afraid  I  said  too  much — that  is,  I  let  things  go. 
I  love  him  and  I  don't  dare  to,  all  in  the  same  breath.  And 
I  know  father  will  never  let  me  marry  him." 

"  But  Jane  married  the  man  of  her  choice." 

"  There  wasn't  anyone  else  just  then.  And  he  thinks 
Jane  might  have  done  much  better.  You  see,  Mr.  Greaves 
is  there  on  the  spot.  And  July  will  soon  be  here.  Oh, 
dear!" 

Marian  leaned  down  on  Jaqueline's  shoulder  and  cried 
softly. 

"  Oh,  I  should  be  spunky !  You  are  very  sweet, 
Marian,  and  you  give  up  too  easily.  You  haven't  any 
fight  in  you.  They  cannot  force  you  to  marry  Mr. 
Greaves.  Fathers  might  have  done  that  years  ago;  and 
if  you  are  firm  and  say  you  won't " 

"  Jaqueline,  don't  talk  all  night,"  said  an  admonishing 
voice. 

Marian  was  very  shy  and  reserved  the  next  morning 

98 


AN    ANGRY   FATHER. 

during  the  ride,  but  more  deliciously  sweet  to  her  lover, 
as  the  men  of  those  days  expected  to  really  win  their 
sweethearts.  After  breakfast  she  packed  up  her  recipes 
and  the  cap  pattern,  and  sewed  industriously  at  her  lace- 
work.  Louis  drove  Georgie  home,  and  then  was  to  do  an 
errand  for  his  father.  The  two  young  men  were  to  go  to 
Washington  presently.  Roger  Carrington  planned  for 
the  visit  his  mother  was  to  make,  and  then  they  were  to 
return  it  and  bring  Annis.  He  had  taken  a  great  fancy 
to  the  child. 

There  was  only  time  for  a  brief  farewell  when  Cato 
came. 

"  Shall  I  write  to  your  father,  or  come  ?  "  the  lover  in 
quired  in  a  decisive  tone. 

"  Oh,  wait — I  will  tell  you !  "  Marian  answered  hur 
riedly,  frightened  at  the  thought  of  the  future,  yet  de 
liciously  happy. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

AN    ANGRY    FATHER. 

I AQUELINE  was  very  busy  paying  visits  and  having  a 
J  good  time.  They  had  been  up  to  the  Pineries  twice 
without  her.  Truth  to  tell,  she  was  a  little  afraid  of  her 
own  counsel,  and  hoping  Marian  would  have  spirit  enough 
to  assert  herself.  One  day  she  was  very  much  surprised 
by  the  advent  of  Mr.  Ralston. 

"  Yes,  honey ;  he  jes'  done  ask  to  see  you,  not  yer  mar 
ner  ennyone !  And  he  looks  jes  laik  a  lover  comin'  to  de 
house,"  announced  Julia,  one  of  the  waiting-maids. 

Jaqueline  went  down  with  a  deeper  flush  on  her  cheek 
and  a  beating  heart.  There  was  a  courteous  greeting, 
and  then  a  touch  of  embarrassment.  Ralston  was  first  to 
surmount  it. 

99 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Miss  Mason,"  he  began  abruptly,  "  when  have  you 
seen  Miss  Floyd  ?  " 

"  Not  since  she  was  here.  I  have  been  away  from 
home.  Papa  and  part  of  the  family  were  up  last  week." 

"  Will  you  read  this  note  ?  " 

It  was  from  Marian — very  brief  and  cold.  She  had 
considered  the  matter,  and  felt  that  it  would  be  impossi 
ble  to  keep  up  the  acquaintance.  It  would  be  useless 
either  to  come  or  to  write. 

"  If  Miss  Floyd  was  merely  amusing  herself,  of  course 
that  is  the  end  of  it.  Do  you  know  whether  she  has  a 
lover?  There  was  some  mystery  about  her  I  could  not 
quite  fathom.  I  may  have  been  misled,  but  I  thought  she 
cared  for  me.  Indeed,"  he  added,  flushing  a  little  and 
softening  his  tone,  "  it  seemed  a  case  of  mutual  attrac 
tion  at  first  sight.  We  became  such  friends  while  she 
was  at  her  sister's." 

Jaqueline  considered  a  moment.  Then  she  said :  "  I 
had  better  tell  you  the  whole  story.  And  if  you  knew 
grandpapa — he  is  as  arbitrary  as  a  king.  He  looks  like 
one  too." 

She  recapitulated  the  advances  of  Mr.  Greaves,  and 
admitted  that  Marian  was  yielding  and  stood  in  awe  of 
her  father.  "  But  I  am  quite  certain  she  loves  you,"  de 
clared  the  incautious  girl. 

"  I  felt  rather  certain,"  with  a  satisfied  half-smile. 
"  And  I  can  understand  that  Mr.  Greaves  is  a  rival  not 
to  be  despised.  I  have  no  broad  acres  nor  ancestral  home, 
but  youth  and  ambition  and  a  good  profession.  Surely 
when  Mr.  Floyd  comes  to  understand,  he  cannot  force 
his  daughter's  inclinations!  I  will  devote  my  whole  life 
to  her,  my  best  energies.  I  am  sure  I  shall  succeed." 

"  Marian  never  could  resist  him  if  she  saw  him  now," 
Jaqueline  thought,  he  looked  so  proud  and  so  in  earnest. 
But  Grandpapa  Floyd ! 

100 


AN   ANGRY   FATHER. 

"  You  give  me  hope.  You  are  young  to  advise  anyone 
in  a  love  affair,"  and  he  laughed  in  a  genial,  amused 
fashion.  "  I  came  here  because  you  knew  about  those 
two  days,  and  I  thought  you  might  be  more  in  Miss 
Floyd's  confidence  than  her  sister,  though  I  can  count  on 
Mrs.  Jettson's  influence  and  approval,  I  am  certain.  Do 
you  think  Miss  Floyd  may  have  told  her  father  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no ;  I  am  sure  she  has  not.  Only  I  do  think  some 
influence  has  been  brought  to  bear  upon  her,  and  she  has 
felt  afraid " 

Jaqueline  looked  very  pretty  and  spirited,  standing  up 
straight  and  slim,  her  dark  eyes  aglow  with  earnestness 
and  eager  interest.  She  would  not  be  afraid  to  stand  up 
for  her  lover. 

"Shall  I  go  or  write?" 

"  Oh,  I  am  afraid  to  advise !  "     She  turned  pale  then. 

"  And  it  is  unmanly  to  ask  it." 

"  Perhaps  papa  could  tell  better." 

"  I  wonder  if  I  might  see  him?  " 

"  Oh,  yes.  Will  you  amuse  yourself  while  I  find  him? 
Louis  is  away,  and  the  children  are  having  a  picnic  down 
in  the  grove." 

Mr.  Mason  was  ensconced  in  a  willow  easy-chair,  with 
a  high  back  and  a  cushion,  while  his  wife  was  reading 
aloud  from  the  pages  of  Oliver  Goldsmith.  He  glanced 
up,  and  Jaqueline  suddenly  realized  the  gravity  of  the 
matter  in  hand. 

"  Mr.  Ralston  is  here,  and  would  like  to  see  you, 
papa !  "  she  exclaimed  persuasively. 

"  Ah — can't  you  bring  him  out  here  ?  " 

"  It  is  quite  important  and "  hesitatingly. 

"  Yes,  I'll  come."  He  reached  for  his  coat,  and  sighed 
at  the  added  warmth. 

Jaqueline  slipped  her  hand  through  his  arm. 

"  It's  about— Marian." 

xox 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  I  was  afraid  there  would  be  trouble.  Jack,  was  their 
meeting  here  pure  accident?  Tell  me  the  truth.  Or  did 
you  have  mischief  in  your  mind  ?  " 

"  It  wasn't  quite  that.  But  Marian  did  not  know.  And 
I  did  not  really  promise  Mr.  Ralston." 

"  I  wish  you  had  kept  out  of  it,  my  girl." 

"  But  Marian  does  love  him.  And  surely  grandpapa 
will  never  make  her  marry  that  stupid  old  Mr. 
Greaves !  " 

"  Take  care.     I  am  getting  old." 

"  But  you  will  never  be  stupid."  She  reached  up  and 
kissed  him. 

"  You  know  grandfather  is  very  fond  of  having  his 
own  way.  Mr.  Greaves  isn't  so  bad,  when  all  is  said." 

"  You  wouldn't  make  me  marry  him  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  I  would  have  a  tough  job,"  and  he 
laughed. 

"  Now  I  shall  leave  you  to  your  own  wisdom." 

The  squire  nodded. 

The  young  lover  presented  his  case  in  a  very  straight 
forward,  honorable  fashion.  Mr.  Mason's  heart  went  out 
to  him,  but  he  understood  his  stepfather's  obstinacy  and 
his  dislike  to  be  meddled  with  or  thwarted.  His  mother 
was  in  favor  of  the  marriage  also,  which  would  make  it 
harder  for  Marian. 

"  If  you  write  to  Mr.  Floyd  you  will  receive  a  polite 
but  decided  dismissal.  If  you  see  him  I  am  afraid  the 
result  will  be  the  same,  and  less  pleasant  to  remember." 

"  Do  you  suppose  I  am  coward  enough  to  relinquish 
the  woman  I  love  in  such  an  emergency  as  this?  If  I 
heard  from  her  own  lips  that  she  did  not  care  for  me, 
that  would  influence  my  conduct.  But  I  am  certain  she 
does  care,  and  I  want  her  to  know  that  I  am  ready  to  take 
any  step  for  her  happiness.  I  am  too  much  of  a  soldier 
to  give  up  without  an  effort,  even  if  I  have  seen  only  fair- 

108 


AN   ANGRY   FATHER. 

weather  service.  What  would  you  have  done  in  your 
youth  ?  " 

"  Made  a  good  fight,"  smiling  at  the  other's  eagerness. 

"  Then  I  shall  go.  To  be  merely  dismissed  would  be 
mortifying.  And  any  woman  would  despise  such  a  tame 
lover!  Thank  you  for  your  cordial  reception.  In  any 
event  I  shall  count  on  your  friendship." 

He  shook  Mr.  Mason's  hand  warmly. 

"  But  you  will  stay  and  have  some  supper  with  us  ? 
And  why  not  accept  our  hospitality  for  the  night?" 

"  Thank  you.  I  have  some  important  matters  on  hand 
to-morrow  morning.  I  am  truly  sorry  not  to  have  a 
delightful  evening  with  you,  and  I  am  indebted  to  you  for 
this  kindly  attention  on  a  troublesome  subject.  I  sin 
cerely  trust  that  some  day  I  shall  stand  in  a  nearer  rela 
tion.  You  can  wish  me  success — I  hope  ?  " 

The  truth  and  honor  in  the  lines  of  the  face  appealed  to 
the  elder  man.  He  had  found  so  many  charms  in  his 
new  wife,  so  much  sweetness  in  the  daily  love,  that  he 
could  be  generous  in  his  wishes. 

"  Yes,  I  hope  you  will  succeed,"  and  the  squire  said  it 
from  the  depth  of  his  heart,  although  his  latent  judgment 
was  not  so  hopeful. 

"  He  will  go  to  the  Pineries,"  he  said  as  he  rejoined  his 
wife  and  daughter.  "  It  will  not  do  any  good,  and  I  am 
afraid  we  are  in  for  a  family  fracas.  Marian  may  refuse 
to  marry  Mr.  Greaves,  but  her  father  will  not  accept 
Ralston.  I  am  sorry.  They  would  make  a  nice,  happy 
young  couple." 

"  But  she  might  wait  a  year  or  two." 

"  It  isn't  easy  waiting  when  there  is  no  real  hope,  and 
the  influence  is  all  on  the  other  side.  You  see,  Grand 
father  Floyd  has  trained  his  children  to  habits  of  obedi 
ence.  He  isn't  turned  about  with  every  wind  of  doctrine, 
as  I  am.  Not  a  child  stands  in  awe  of  me.  And  when  I 

103 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

pick  out  my  future  son-in-law,  Miss  Jaqueline,  I  expect 
you  will  turn  up  your  pretty  nose  and  utterly  refuse  him." 

"  I  shall  if  he  has  four  children  belonging  to  another 
woman." 

Her  father  raised  his  brows.  The  young  girl  turned 
scarlet  and  clasped  her  arms  about  Mrs.  Mason's 
neck. 

"  Mother  dear,  forgive  that  awkward  speech.  We  are 
all  glad  to  have  you,  as  you  must  be  aware  by  this  time, 
and  since  you  are  such  a  comfort  and  pleasure  to  papa  it 
would  be  the  height  of  jealous  unamiability  not  to  love 
you.  But  if  you  had  left  four  children  you  wouldn't  want 
me  for  their  stepmother,  would  you,  now?  Confess  the 
truth." 

She  looked  very  arch  and  pretty,  and  her  voice  had  a 
persuasive  cadence  that  amused  her  father. 

"  They  might  fare  worse,  my  dear  girl,"  returned  Mrs. 
Mason.  "  I  should  trust  Annis  anywhere  with  you.  And 
Marian  would  make  a  charming  mother,  but  I  do  think 
she  is  entitled  to  some  young,  sweet  life  of  her  own.  I 
cannot  help  thinking  how  one  extreme  begets  another. 
Your  grandparents  are  very  authoritative " 

"  Domineering  is  better,"  interposed  the  squire  laugh 
ingly.  "  You  are  great  for  picking  out  the  softer  words, 
Patty.  Mr.  Floyd  is  of  the  old  school,  and  his  beliefs  in 
tensify  with  age.  His  children  were  put  in  the  world  to 
honor  and  obey  him.  Brandon  married  an  heiress  with 
an  estate  and  no  end  of  slaves.  Jane  slipped  through 
with  the  man  of  her  choice,  but  you  can  notice  that  he  is 
rather  captious  about  Arthur,  who  is  doing  very  well  and 
will  be  a  rich  man  if  he  doesn't  blunder  in  the  Washing 
ton  bogs.  I  think  myself  Marian  and  Dolly  are  kept 
in  very  narrow  bounds.  Dolly  has  a  way  of  slipping  out, 
but  Marian  is  rather  timid." 

"  The  system  has  made  her  so,  but  I  should  think  she 

104 


AN   ANGRY   FATHER. 

would  have  inherited  a  good  deal  of  spirit  and  force  of 
character." 

"  I  think  I  shall  turn  over  a  new  leaf  myself,"  declared 
the  squire,  with  a  twinkle  of  humor  in  his  eye.  "  In  the 
future,  Miss  Jaqueline,  I  wish  you  to  consult  me  about 
your  goings-out  and  comings-in.  You  are  to  say  '  Sir ' 
to  me  in  the  most  respectful  fashion.  Perhaps  your 
mother  would  like  you  to  address  her  as  '  Madam.'  You 
are  to  take  no  hand  in  the  affairs  of  foolish  young  lovers. 
You  are  not  to  go  careering  about  the  plantation  on 
horseback,  but  to  be  sober,  discreet,  and  industrious  with 
your  needle.  Perhaps  it  would  be  well  for  you  to  keep 
a  journal.  Is  there  anything  else?  I  must  consult  Aunt 
Catharine.  Your  mother  is  quite  too  easy." 

There  was  a  laugh  in  every  dimple  and  line  in  the 
young  girl's  face.  Any  pretense  of  austerity  sat  oddly 
enough  on  the  squire's  round,  humorous  countenance. 

There  was  a  sudden  interruption  of  the  three  younger 
children  racing  up  the  patch  in  a  breathless  fashion.  An- 
nis  went  straight  to  her  mother's  arms,  Charles  halted  at 
his  father's  side  and  snatched  his  hand. 

"Is  Annis  my  sister  truly,  papa?" 

"  But  it's  just  the  same,"  interrupted  Varina,  whose 
tone  indicated  that  she  had  been  in  a  warm  discussion. 
"And,  papa,  can  he  marry  her?" 

"  More  family  difficulties !  "  declared  the  squire.  "  Is 
the  world  going  crazy?  And,  Varina,  marriages  do  not 
begin  with  the  babies  of  the  family." 

"  I'm  not  a  baby."  Charles  straightened  himself  up  to 
his  tallest.  "  I  said  when  I  was  a  grown  man  I  should 
marry  Annis.  I  am  going  to  study  hard  and  go  to 
Congress;  perhaps  I  shall  be  sent  abroad  on  some 
mission." 

"  And  isn't  the  husband  always  the  oldest,  papa  ?. 
Charles  is  almost  two  years  younger  than  Annis," 

105 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

"  One  year  and  eight  months,"  corrected  Charles.  "  I 
don't  see  what  difference  it  can  make.  I  shall  be  the 
tallest  and  earn  the  money.  And  she  isn't  my  own  sister. 
She  isn't  any  real  relation.  But  if  she  was  my  cousin  I 
could  marry  her." 

The  squire  laughed  heartily,  which  rather  disconcerted 
Varina. 

"  Truly,"  he  said,  "  love  seems  to  have  broken  out  as  a 
distemper.  And  so  you  want  Annis  for  a  sweetheart, 
Charles  ?  What  does  Annis  say  to  all  this  ?  " 

Annis  was  caressing  her  mother's  hand. 

"  She  likes  me  better  than  anybody  except  her  mother." 

"  Oh,  little  Annis,  have  you  thrown  me  over  ?  And 
after  the  pony,  too !  " 

The  squire's  voice  was  whimsically  upbraiding,  and 
his  glance  touched  her  tender  heart.  She  flew  over  to 
him. 

"  Oh,  I  do  love  you ! "  she  cried.  "  But  you  have 
mamma,  and  I  know  I  can  never  get  back  all  of  her." 

"  Do  you  want  all  of  her  back  ?  Would  you  take  her 
away  ?  " 

"  I  wouldn't  have  any  home  to  take  her  to.  And  she 
likes  it  here  and  all  the  children  and  you,  and  I  like  it  too 
now.  I  don't  mind  giving  part  of  her  away." 

"  And  next  she  likes  me."  Charles  went  around  and 
stood  by  her  side  in  his  manliest  pose.  They  made  a 
pretty  picture. 

"  I  thought  you  loved  me  a  good  deal,"  interposed 
Jaqueline. 

"  Oh,  I  love  you  all ! "  said  the  child,  though  she 
glanced  doubtfully  at  Varina. 

"  But,  then,  girls  don't  marry  ever,  no  matter  how 
much  they  love  each  other,"  said  the  young  admirer. 

"  And  she  is  our  sister,"  persisted  Varina. 

"  Not  in  that  sense,  my  little  girl.     And  the  age  makes 

106 


AN   ANGRY   FATHER. 

no  difference.  So  she  can  be  Charles'  sweetheart  until 
he  goes  to  college  and  gets  another  one." 

"  But  I  do  not  mean  ever  to  get  another  one.  And  we 
were  playing  keep  house  under  the  big  hemlock.  Dinah 
had  made  us  some  cookies.  And  Rene  was  the  com 
pany " 

"  I  shall  not  be  company  any  more,"  returned  the 
child,  with  a  toss  of  the  head.  "  If  you  want  Annis,  take 
her  then." 

"  There,  children,  no  quarreling.  Aren't  the  cookies 
good  enough  to  be  peacemakers  ?  " 

"  But  we've  eaten  them  all  up." 

Varina  marched  off  in  a  huff.  Jaqueline  was  laugh 
ing.  Mrs.  Mason  looked  annoyed.  The  stepfather 
kissed  Annis  tenderly. 

"  There,"  he  said,  "  run  off  and  finish  your  play.  Be 
the  best  of  friends,  and  have  the  best  times  you  can.  The 
world  will  look  different  to  you  a  dozen  years  hence,  and 
love  will  settle  perplexities." 

Jaqueline  had  followed  her  sister,  though  she  knew 
Varina  was  generally  the  marplot  in  their  play. 

"  Oh,  Randolph,  how  could  you !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Ma 
son,  with  a  touch  of  upbraiding.  "  Such  matters  are  too 
grave  and  serious  for  children's  plays." 

"  Yet  I  suppose  we  have  all  taken  a  hand  in  it.  When 
I  was  a  boy  of  nine  or  ten  I  was  very  much  in  love  with 
a  young  relative  who  used  to  visit  us.  She  taught  me  to 
dance,  and  I  remember  I  wrote  some  verses  to  her.  She 
must  have  been  at  least  fifteen,  for  two  years  later  she 
married,  and  I  was  so  surprised  and  hurt  that  I  think  I 
always  hated  her  husband  until  I  was  nearly  grown  and 
fell  in  love  again.  And  after  that  I  met  your  cousin." 

Mrs.  Mason  still  looked  unconvinced. 

"  It  won't  hurt  Charles.  I  like  to  see  boys  chivalrous 
and  devoted,  and  Anris  is  such  a  darling.  It  would  de- 

107 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

light  me  if  they  were  old  enough  to  have  it  all  in  sober 
earnest.  There,  do  not  look  so  grave  over  a  little  child 
ish  nonsense.  Let  us  rather  be  fortifying  ourselves  for 
the  avalanche  that  is  to  descend  on  our  devoted  heads. 
One  can  hardly  blame  Jaqueline,  but  I  am  afraid  poor 
Marian  will  have  a  hard  time.  Presently  we  shall  begin 
to  be  plagued  with  lovers." 

Mrs.  Mason  gave  a  little  sigh.  It  had  been  quite  a 
task  at  first  to  induce  Annis  to  be  really  friendly  with  the 
children ;  now  she  and  Charles  were  inseparable.  At  first 
Varina  had  tormented  them  with  childish  jealousy, 
though  there  were  not  many  of  their  enjoyments  she 
wanted  to  share.  Boisterous  games  and  frolics  were 
more  to  her  fancy  than  books,  but  Annis  could  have  lis 
tened  forever.  They  were  both  extravagantly  fond  of 
flowers  and  rambling  about.  Mrs.  Mason  had  so  many 
duties  to  the  household  and  the  slaves,  that  she  was  often 
relieved  when  the  little  girl  found  amusement  elsewhere. 
And  Charles  was  an  admirable  companion,  with  his  even 
temper,  his  heroic  romances,  his  innate  love  for  whatever 
was  noble  and  true,  his  courtesy  and  kindliness.  In  the 
earlier  years  Varina  had  quite  tyrannized  over  him,  but 
as  their  tastes  began  to  differ  he  quietly  emancipated 
himself  with  the  rare  art  born  in  some  people.  The  tu 
tor  had  given  him  a  dignity  of  position.  Annis  appre 
ciated  this  quiet  side  of  his  nature,  though  she  enjoyed 
the  songs  and  dances  and  frolics  of  the  pickaninnies,  and 
often  joined  in  a  game  of  romps. 

Just  now  the  mother  had  a  half- jealous  feeling  that 
her  child  should  find  satisfaction  elsewhere.  There  were 
so  many  years  between  her  and  womanhood  that  it  was 
foolish  to  pay  heed  to  the  child's  play,  she  knew. 

From  various  causes  they  had  not  made  their  usual 
weekly  visit  to  the  Pineries.  Jaqueline  half  wished  Pa 
tricia  would  insist  upon  going,  but  she  did  not.  As  for 

108 


AN   ANGRY   FATHER. 

herself,  she  hardly  dared  venture,  lest  some  untoward 
questions  might  be  asked. 

And  so  one  day  the  old-fashioned  yellow  coach  with 
driver  and  footman  turned  up  the  avenue.  There  had 
been  a  recent  rain,  and  the  air  was  cool  and  fragrant. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason  were  out  on  the  wide  porch  at  the 
northern  end.  Dinner  was  over,  and  the  squire  had  tilted 
back  his  chair  where  he  could  lean  against  the  great 
square  column,  and  prepared  for  his  siesta. 

Mrs.  Mason  was  sewing.  The  girls  were  in  the  big 
swing  under  some  great  sycamore  trees,  and  Louis  was 
lounging  on  the  grass. 

"  Randolph,  your  mother  and  Mr.  Floyd,"  said  his 
wife,  startled. 

Mr.  Mason  rose,  but  the  footman  had  helped  out  Mr. 
Floyd,  who  sat  nearest,  and  Mr.  Mason  clasped  his 
mother's  hand  after  she  had  alighted. 

"  This  is  a  great  surprise  and  pleasure,  but  the  air  is 
magnificent,  just  the  day  for  driving.  I  was  over  to  the 
courthouse  most  of  the  morning.  I've  had  that  bother 
of  the  Chaffee  estate  on  my  hands,  but  we  are  getting  it 
into  shape.  It  has  taken  a  good  deal  of  my  time." 

"  We  had  looked  for  you  up,"  returned  his  mother, 
with  a  touch  of  asperity  in  her  tone. 

"  Scipio,  see  that  the  horses  are  put  out " 

"  The  horses  have  been  attended  to.  We  stopped  at 
Rhoby's  and  had  a  little  rest  and  a  bite  of  something." 

"  But  you  will  have  dinner " 

"  No,  no !  "  Mr.  Floyd  waved  his  long  white  hand  im 
pressively.  "  We  have  not  come  to  stay,  and  will  drive 
back  presently." 

Mrs.  Mason  had  come  forward  and  greeted  her  guests. 
But  she  felt  the  storm  in  the  air,  and  caught  the  per 
plexity  in  her  husband's  eye. 

"Shall  we  go  within?" 

109 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  No ;  it  is  so  much  pleasanter  here.  There  is  enough 
time  in  winter  to  be  shut  up  in  rooms.  Give  me  the  great 
world  out  of  doors,  when  it  is  neither  too  hot  nor  too 
cold." 

"  All  are  well,  I  suppose  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Mason. 

"  Brandon's  little  son  is  quite  ill — the  second  child. 
We  only  heard  last  evening.  Some  kind  of  a  fever.  I 
hope  it  will  not  be  severe.  They  are  fine  boys,"  declared 
their  grandmother  with  pride. 

"  We  have  escaped  wonderfully  on  the  plantation. 
Very  little  sickness  so  far,"  Mr.  Mason  remarked,  and 
there  was  an  ominous  pause. 

"  Mr.  Mason,"  began  the  old  gentleman,  clearing  his 
voice,  "  I  had  a  visitor  a  few  days  ago,  who,  I  understood, 
had  your  countenance  in  a  very  impertinent  matter.  I 
was  amazed  that  you  should  for  a  moment  entertain  the 
thought  that  anything  he  might  say  would  be  acceptable 
to  me — to  us,"  glancing  at  his  wife. 

Randolph  Mason  met  the  issue  squarely. 

"  You  mean  Lieutenant  Ralston  ?  " 

"  That  ill-bred  puppy  who,  if  he  wants  to  do  his  coun 
try  any  service,  had  better  go  out  against  the  Indians 
and  protect  the  border  people  from  their  depredations  in 
stead  of  flirting  around  after  women.  I  wonder  that  you 
sent  him  on  such  a  fool's  errand.  You  knew  my  plans 
concerning  my  daughter  Marian  ?  " 

"  I  advised  him  to  write  to  you,  but  he  was  very  much 
in  earnest  and  thought  he  could  plead  his  cause  better." 

"  The  fellow  is  a  silly,  insufferable  idiot !  Yes — I 
know,"  waving  his  hand  authoritatively,  "  the  kind  of  peo 
ple  Jane  consorts  with,  and  I  might  have  been  certain 
the  society  there  would  do  the  girls  no  good.  But  that 
you  should  not  only  aid  and  abet  him,  but  allow  your 
home  to  be  made  the  scene  of  an  intrigue,  is  treating  your 
mother  and  myself  shamefully,  and  exposing  your  young 

no 


AN   ANGRY    FATHER. 

sister  to  the  machinations  of  an  unprincipled  fellow !  If 
you  choose  to  allow  your  daughters  to  consort  with  such 
cattle " 

"  Hold,  Mr.  Floyd !  I  will  not  have  an  honorable  young 
man  accused  in  that  manner,  neither  will  I  allow  you  to 
traduce  my  household.  There  was  no  intrigue,  but  an 
accidental  meeting  here " 

Mr.  Floyd  rose  in  a  passion,  his  eyes  sparkling,  his  face 
flushed. 

"  Do  you  dare  to  tell  me  there  was  no  underhand  plan 
in  all  this?  Jaqueline's  adroitly  worded  note,  that  might 
have  aroused  suspicion  if  we  had  not  considered  you 
above  such  a  scheme.  It  was  atrocious,  sir!  We  had 
refused  to  have  her  visit  her  sister  on  that  account.  She 
had  met  the  young  man  there.  And  how  was  it  he 
should  come  at  this  particular  juncture?" 

"  My  son  brought  him  down  from  Washington.  He  is 
in  the  habit  of  asking  his  friends.  Another  friend  was 
coming,  Mr.  Roger  Carrington." 

"  Where  is  Louis  ?  Let  me  see  him.  Let  him  deny 
his  part  of  the  plan,  if  he  can,  with  truth." 

"  Mr.  Floyd,  do  common  justice  to  the  young  man. 
He  is  a  fine,  highly  esteemed  person,  in  a  good  position, 
and  numbers  his  friends  among  the  best.  His  attentions 
would  be  no  insult  to  any  woman.  That  a  pretty  young 
girl  should  be  admired  is  no  uncommon  thing ;  that  more 
than  one  man  should  want  to  marry  her  is  nothing  de 
rogatory.  You  may  not  care  to  accept  him  for  a  son-in- 
law » 

"  She  should  not  marry  him  if  she  never  married  at 
all !  "  thundered  the  irascible  old  man.  "  I  had  other 
and  better  plans  for  her.  Some  months  ago  one  of  our 
most  estimable  neighbors,  a  man  of  large  property  and 
unsullied  reputation,  asked  for  her  hand.  Being  a  wid 
ower,  he  would  make  no  advances  until  the  year  of 

in 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

mourning  had  expired,  which  certainly  evinced  a  delicacy 
worthy  of  all  commendation.  Marian  knew  she  was  as 
good  as  betrothed.  Ha !  Louis ! "  as  the  young  man 
crossed  the  porch.  "  Tell  me  the  truth,  sir  ?  Did  you 
not  bring  that  scheming  adventurer  down  here  to  meet 
Marian  ?  " 

"  I  have  no  idea  to  whom  you  refer.  I  have  no  such 
person  on  my  list  of  acquaintances,"  declared  Louis 
haughtily. 

"  That  beggarly  lieutenant !  Don't  tell  me  he  wouldn't 
be  glad  enough  to  marry  a  girl  with  a  good  dower." 

"  I  certainly  asked  Lieutenant  Ralston  to  come  with 
Mr.  Carrington.  I  knew  the  Fairfax  girls  were  to  be 
here,  but  Marian  was  a  surprise  to  me." 

"  You  are  not  telling  the  truth,  young  man." 

"  Very  well.  Believe  as  you  like."  Louis  turned  on 
his  heel  and  walked  off  indignantly. 

"  Father,"  said  Mrs.  Floyd  reprovingly,  "  Jaqueline 
must  have  known.  It  was  her  letter  that  made  all  the 
trouble.  I  dare  say  Louis  was  not  in  the  plot." 

Mrs.  Floyd  was  proud  of  her  fine-looking  grandson. 
He  had  always  been  a  favorite. 

"  Yes ;  where  is  that  deceitful  girl  ?  I  warn  you,  Ran 
dolph  Mason,  that  you  will  have  trouble  with  one  so  head 
strong  and  lawless." 

"  You  forget  you  are  speaking  of  my  daughter." 

"  I  don't  care  whose  daughter  she  is !  "  the  old  man 
roared  in  his  anger.  "  I  want  to  tell  her  that  her  schemes 
have  fallen  through,  that  she  has  only  made  Marian  a 
miserable,  disobedient  girl  in  encouraging  this  wicked 
fancy  when  she  was  on  the  eve  of  an  engagement  with 
her  parents'  approval  and  sanction." 

Jaqueline  walked  across  the  path  and  up  the  steps  with 
her  head  held  haughtily  erect. 

"  I  am  here  to  answer  for  any  crime  I  may  have  com- 

112 


AN   ANGRY   FATHER. 

mitted,"  she  said  in  a  clear,  cutting  tone.  "  Papa  allows 
us  some  liberty  in  choosing  our  friends,  and  certainly  as 
guests  in  the  house  they  are  under  his  supervision.  The 
Fairfaxes  were  old  neighbors.  The  Carringtons  were 
old  friends  of  my  own  mother  and  her  dear  cousin.  Mr. 
Ralston  is  held  in  high  esteem  in  Washington.  I  was 
not  at  all  sure  Marian  would  come  when  I  wrote,  but  I 
thought  it  a  good  opportunity " 

"  For  that  fellow  to  turn  her  head  with  his  wretched 
nonsense,  to  make  her  silly  and  disobedient  and  full  of 
romantic  notions.  But  it  will  do  no  good,  I  tell  you! 
She  has  been  proposed  to  in  due  form  by  Mr.  Greaves, 
and  you  may  notify  your  friend  that  she  is  engaged. 
And,  Miss  Jaqueline,  I  warn  you  not  to  write  her  any 
letters  upholding  your  views,  which  are  certainly  most 
pernicious  and  shocking  for  a  young  girl.  Until  she  is 
married  you  are  not  to  meet  again.  I  call  you  a  dan 
gerous  girl." 

"  That  will  do,"  said  Randolph  Mason,  coming  and 
taking  his  daughter's  hand  in  his.  "  I  think  you  quite 
forget  yourself,  Mr.  Floyd.  If  Marian  had  not  cared  for 
this  young  man  there  would  not  have  been  any  trouble. 
Beware  how  you  compel  her  to  marry  one  man  while  her 
heart  is  another's !  " 

"  My  daughter  has  been  trained  to  habits  of  obedience 
and  respect  for  her  parents'  opinions,"  returned  the  old 
gentleman  loftily.  "  You  will  find  that  you  have  made 
a  great  mistake  in  the  rearing  of  yours.  But,  on  the  other 
hand,  they  have  been  bereft  of  a  mother's  wisdom  and 
care,  such  as  your  mother  has  given  to  mine,"  and  he 
bowed  in  a  courtly  fashion  to  Mrs.  Floyd.  "  I  am  afraid 
that  you,  madam,"  turning  to  Mrs.  Mason,  "  will  find 
your  way  a  thorny  one  indeed,  if  you  have  any  regard  for 
the  probity  and  welfare  of  these  children  you  have  under 
taken  to  train." 

"3 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  We  will  not  go  into  a  discussion  of  methods,"  re 
turned  Mr.  Mason  with  a  sort  of  dry  austerity.  "  I  am 
sorry  that  Marian's  meeting  Lieutenant  Ralston  here 
should  have  led  to  such  an  unpleasant  culmination. 
Young  people  of  to-day  do  have  more  liberty  than  the 
older  generation,  yet  I  should  have  taken  it  very  hard  if 
Jaqueline  Verney's  father  had  compelled  her  to  marry  a 
man  she  did  not  like  when  she  loved  me.  So  we  cannot 
blame  the  young  man  for  trying " 

"  That  was  a  suitable,  sensible  match,"  interrupted  Mr. 
Floyd.  "  This  is  a  foolish,  sentimental  affair.  And  I 
have  to  say  if  it  receives  any  more  encouragement  from 
this  house,  it  will  make  a  lasting  breach.  If  Marian 
should  dare  to  leave  her  home  and  throw  herself  on  this 
fellow's  protection  we  should  cast  her  out  altogether,  and 
she  would  be  no  daughter  of  ours." 

"  Father,  father ! "  entreated  Mrs.  Floyd,  placing  her 
hand  upon  his  arm. 

"  I  mean  it.  This  is  my  warning.  I  will  not  be  in 
terfered  with." 

Mr.  Mason  had  been  standing  beside  his  wife's  chair. 
Now  he  advanced  toward  his  stepfather. 

"  I  have  made  my  apology.  I  am  sorry  such  a  thing 
should  have  happened  here,  though  I  cannot  find  it  in  my 
heart  to  blame  the  young  people.  And  now  let  us  heal 
the  difference.  Have  a  glass  of  wine  and  some  refresh 
ments." 

"  We  must  return  at  once.  It  is  a  long  ride.  But  I 
wanted  you  to  know  what  your  daughter's  meddling  had 
led  to,  and  my  unalterable  determination.  Come,  Eliza 
beth,"  holding  out  his  hand  to  his  wife.  "  We  shall  be 
glad  to  see  you  and  Mrs.  Patricia,  but  for  the  present  I 
insist  there  shall  be  no  communication  with  the  young 
people." 

He  glared  at  the  group  and  turned  away.  Mr.  Mason 

114 


AN   ANGRY   FATHER. 

offered  no  further  entreaty,  but  went  around  to  his  moth 
er's  side. 

"  Twice  you  have  married  the  man  of  your  choice,"  he 
said  in  a  low  tone.  "  I  suppose  you  have  been  very 
happy.  Try  and  deal  gently  with  Marian  and  persuade 
rather  than  force." 

"  You  will  understand  when  your  girls  want  to  make 
unsuitable  and  willful  marriages.  You  had  better  look 
sharply  after  Jaqueline.  When  Marian  is  left  alone  she 
will  soon  recover  her  tranquil  frame  of  mind.  Jane  is 
interdicted  as  well.  Jane  has  grown  very  frivolous  since 
she  has  had  so  much  Washington  society.  And  Mrs. 
Madison  is  extremely  worldly  and  vain,  and  not  to  be 
compared  with  Mrs.  Adams  or  Mrs.  Washington." 

Mrs.  Mason  rose  and  bade  her  guests  a  formal  adieu. 
Mr.  Mason  walked  down  the  broad  steps  and  saw  them 
seated  in  the  coach.  When  it  had  turned  into  the  wind 
ing  part  of  the  avenue  Jaqueline  made  a  rush  and  flung 
her  arms  around  her  father's  neck. 

"  Oh,  papa,  dear !— I  never  supposed  it  would  make 
any  trouble.  And  I  wasn't  sure  Mr.  Ralston  would  come, 
or  Marian  either,  for  that  matter,  and  I  never  said  a  word 
to  Marian.  Jane  is  so  much  interested  in  the  matter,  and 
both  she  and  Mr.  Jettson  like  Mr.  Ralston  so  very  much. 
But  grandpapa  grows  more  and  more  arbitrary " 

"  Of  course  he  was  very  much  vexed.  I  am  afraid  I 
am  a  foolish  fellow  and  let  you  children  run  over  me. 
You  don't  even  seem  to  stand  in  awe  of  your  stepmother. 
I  shall  have  to  get  my  backbone  stiffened  by  some 
process." 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 
CHAPTER  IX. 

THE     WEAKER     VESSEL. 

'"THEY  came  up  the  steps  with  their  arms  about  each 
*  other.  Mrs.  Mason  stood  there,  Annis  clinging  to 
her  skirt,  Patricia  and  Varina  looking  on  in  curious  ex 
pectancy.  Louis  ventured  out  of  his  retreat. 

"We  don't  want  papa  changed  any,  do  we?"  placing 
her  other  arm  over  her  mother's  shoulder,  and  glancing 
fondly  into  her  eyes. 

"  I  wouldn't  live  with  grandpapa  for  all  the  world ! " 
began  Patricia. 

"  There,  children !  "  exclaimed  their  father ;  "  we  will 
not  discuss  the  matter.  Mr.  Floyd  feels  sure  he  is  right, 
and  I  am  very  sorry  it  should  have  happened,  though  I 
can't  see  that  any  of  you  were  out  of  the  way " 

"  I  knew  Ralston  cared  a  great  deal  for  Marian,"  said 
Louis,  "  and  I  never  imagined  that  old  Mr.  Greaves 
would  stand  in  the  way.  Do  you  suppose  he  would 
if  he  knew  it?  And  I  admire  Ralston  bearding  the 
lion  in  his  den.  It's  a  shame  that  poor  Polly  should 
have  to  suffer,  but  I  hope  she  will  be  spunky  and  not 
give  in." 

"  Do  you  mean  to  make  us  marry  whoever  you  like  ?  " 
Patty  edged  up  to  her  father  and  raised  a  saucy  face  with 
laughing  eyes. 

"  You  will  find  me  terrible  when  you  reach  that 
period,"  declared  their  father.  "  At  present  there  are 
enough  things  for  you  to  consider  and  learn  about  with 
out  taking  up  marriage." 

"  Do  you  suppose  grandpapa  is  in  real  earnest  ?  He 
looked  very  resolute,  didn't  he?  I've  seen  him  angry 
with  the  slaves,  and  I  shouldn't  like  to  belong  to  him, 

116 


THE   WEAKER   VESSEL. 

I  really  shouldn't.  And  do  you  think  he  actually  doesn't 
want  any  of  us  to  come  up " 

"  Not  at  present.  I  trust  the  matter  will  blow  over. 
Marian  will  give  in  after  a  while  and,  no  doubt,  be  very 
comfortable.  Ask  your  mother  if  she  is  sorry.  I  know 
little  Annis  wants  to  go  back  to  Kentucky,"  and  he 
pinched  the  child's  cheek. 

"  You'll  have  to  go  alone,"  declared  Louis. 

"  But  I  can't  go  alone ;  I  should  get  lost.  And  I  don't 
want  to  go  away  from  you  all." 

Mrs.  Mason  flushed  and  smiled  at  the  raillery. 

"  But,  you  see,  we  are  old  enough  to  appreciate 
mamma,"  began  Jaqueline.  "  And  those  Greaves  chil 
dren  are  all  little,  and  they  are  very  plain  too.  One  of  the 
boys  has  a  squint  eye.  It  looks  so  queer,  as  if  he  always 
saw  two  ways.  And  poor  Marian  will  have  to  settle  to 
playing  whist,  and  she  does  love  so  to  dance.  She  had 
such  a  good  time  here,  and  in  Washington  with  Jane." 

Dixon,  the  overseer,  came  up  the  path.  Mr.  Mason 
was  wanted  to  settle  some  matter.  Patty  and  Jaqueline 
sat  down  on  the  step  by  their  mother  and  Annis  leaned 
against  her  knee,  while  Varina  hung  over  Patty's  shoul 
der,  rather  to  her  sister's  discomfort.  And,  in  spite  of 
their  father's  request,  they  went  on  talking  of  Marian. 
Their  mother  said  they  were  too  young  to  know  what  was 
really  best  in  such  matters;  but  they  thought  they  did, 
and  she  could  not  lead  them  to  other  subjects.  They 
were  very  happy,  and  not  difficult  to  get  along  with,  if 
they  were  rather  lawless.  To  be  sure,  Jaqueline  did 
evince  a  tendency  to  admiration,  and  often  gave  dan 
gerous  glances  out  of  eyes  that  could  look  languishing 
as  well  as  laughing. 

Louis  did  not  hesitate  to  express  his  indignation  to 
both  of  his  sisters. 

"Grandpapa  is  an  old  tyrant!"  he  declared;  "and  I 

117 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

dare  say  we'll  never  hear.  It's  like  someone  taking  off 
your  book  when  you  are  at  the  most  interesting  part." 

"Do  you  suppose  we'll  be  asked  to  the  wedding?" 
wondered  Patty ;  "  and  what  a  farce  congratulations 
would  be  ?  'I  hope  you  will  be  very  happy.'  '  I  wish 
you  much  joy.' " 

Patty  pirouetted  round,  shaking  an  imaginary  hand 
and  using  a  most  affected  tone,  at  which  they  all  laughed. 

But  Marian  surprised  them  all  with  a  letter,  written 
the  day  her  parents  were  away.  How  she  sent  it  was  a 
mystery.  It  excited  them  all  beyond  measure. 

"  It  was  dreadful,"  she  wrote.  "  Oh,  Jaqueline !  if  I 
could  have  known  Lieutenant  Ralston  was  there  I  should 
have  rushed  into  the  room  and  told  him  that  I  loved  him, 
and  that  I  should  never,  never  marry  anyone  else,  if 
father  shut  me  up  in  a  dungeon  and  kept  me  on  bread  and 
water!  But  I  did  not  know  until  he  was  sent  away,  and 
I  can't  know  all  that  father  said  to  him,  but  I  do  know  he 
was  very  fierce  and  unreasonable.  And  I  was  so  fright 
ened  when  father  went  at  me  that  I  had  to  confess  about 
those  two  delicious  days.  He  was  sure  it  was  a  plot  on 
your  part,  and  he  taxed  me  with  having  known  all  about 
it.  I  didn't  dream  of  such  a  thing  at  first,  but  I  am 
afraid  it  was  so. 

"  I  never  saw  anyone  so  angry.  At  first  I  was  dread 
fully  frightened.  But  when  he  accused  me  of  duplicity 
and  forwardness,  and  said  I  had  run  after  Mr.  Ralston,  it 
roused  me,  and  I  said  I  loved  him  and  I  never  would 
marry  anyone  else.  I  know  he  would  wait  years  for  me. 
And  when  Mr.  Greaves  asks  me  I  shall  tell  him  plain  out 
how  I  feel  about  it,  and  I  am  quite  sure  he  will  not  want 
to  marry  me.  I  hate  the  prosy  old  fellow !  I  wish  Mr. 
Ralston  could  know  how  much  I  care  for  him.  I  expect 
you  are  having  a  terrible  time  to-day  with  father.  Oh, 
I  wish  he  could  be  like  brother  Randolph!  Oh,  Jaque- 

118 


THE   WEAKER   VESSEL. 

line,  do  you  know  how  delightful  it  is !  And  your  mother 
is  so  sweet,  just  like  another  girl.  Such  old  people  as 
father  and  mother  forget  they  ever  were  young." 

There  was  much  more  youthful  and  romantic  protest 
and  resolve. 

"  I  really  didn't  think  Marian  had  so  much  force  of 
character,"  said  Louis.  "  I  do  wonder  if  it  would  be 
wrong  to  give  Ralston  an  inkling  of  how  the  case  stands  ? 
It  seems  as  if  she  almost  expected  us  to  do  it." 

"  I  think  papa  ought  to  see  the  letter,"  returned  Jaque- 
line  soberly.  "  And  I  almost  know  he  will  not  want  us 
to  stir  further  in  the  matter.  Marian  must  have  someone 
she  can  trust,  or  she  would  not  have  dared  to  write  the 
letter.  Oh,  I  hope  she  will  be  true  and  brave,  and  some 
time  it  may  come  out  right !  " 

"  Mis'  Jettson's  come,"  said  Julia.  "And  your  pa  and 
ma  have  gone  over  to  Middle  Creek." 

"  Oh,  Jane !  "  They  all  made  a  rush  to  the  great 
front  piazza,  Jaqueline  with  her  letter  in  hand. 

"  Oh,  girls  !  "  cried  Jane,  "  did  you  have  a  dreadful  time 
when  father  was  down  here  ?  He  wrote  me  a  letter.  But 
Lieutenant  Ralston  had  been  in,  and  he  told  me  of  his  call 
at  the  Pineries.  You  see,  he  thought  they  were  as  good 
as  engaged;  only  he  meant  to  begin  honorably,  and  ask 
father's  sanction  to  his  addresses.  But  father  was — yes, 
really  outrageous — if  he  is  my  father!  I've  always  felt 
he  would  be  a  gentleman  under  any  circumstances,  but 
this  was  insulting,  abusive ;  and  Lieutenant  Ralston  is  well 
bred  and  well  connected,  and  is  in  the  way  of  getting  a  fine 
position.  And,  in  any  event,  there  was  nothing  deroga 
tory  to  Marian  in  his  falling  in  love  with  her.  Why,  he  is 
invited  almost  everywhere,  and  the  girls  are  pulling  straws 
for  him.  Then  father  writes  me  a  very  cross  and  irritat 
ing  note,  and  says  for  the  present  Marian  is  to  hold  no 
communication  with  me — my  own  sister,  too ! — and  that  I 

119 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

am  not  to  mention  nor  in  any  way  refer  to  Mr.  Ralston, 
but  that  any  letter  of  mine  will  be  read  by  him  first.  Why, 
we  might  as  well  go  back  to  the  Dark  Ages,  or  be  Puri 
tans  at  once!  I  believe  those  old  Puritan  fathers  com 
pelled  their  daughters  to  marry  to  their  liking.  If  I 
could  only  know  how  Marian  feels !  Why  do  you  all  look 
so  queer?  Jaqueline,  who  is  your  letter  from?" 

"  From  Marian,"  said  the  girl,  with  rising  color. 

"  Oh,  I  must  see  it."  She  took  it  from  Jaqueline's 
hand.  "  Oh,  poor,  dear  Marian !  If  she  loves  him  it 
will  be  all  right.  And  she  does.  I  think  father  won't 
have  such  an  easy  time  persuading  her  to  marry  Mr. 
Greaves.  Why,  he  could  have  been  her  father;  he's  old 
enough !  And  none  of  us  can  write  to  her.  It  is  too 
cruel!  Now  tell  me  what  was  said  the  day  they  were 
down  here." 

The  scene  lost  nothing  by  repetition.  They  all  agreed 
about  the  injustice.  Then  Jane  decided  she  would  return 
at  once.  The  baby  was  teething  and  rather  fretful.  They 
were  to  go  to  Bladensburg  for  a  fortnight. 

"  And,  Jaqueline,  I  wish  you  could  come.  It  is  really 
quite  gay  there,  and  the  water  is  said  to  be  so  good. 
Arthur  is  too  busy  to  leave,  and  often  has  to  spend  his 
evenings  drafting  and  making  plans.  Patty  might  come 
too,  if  she  liked." 

So  the  word  of  encouragement  went  its  way  to  the 
lover,  and  was  a  great  comfort  and  delight. 

"  I  hope  you  will  all  respect  grandfather's  wishes,"  said 
Mr.  Mason,  when  he  read  his  young  sister's  letter.  "  I 
shall  trust  you  not  to  hold  any  communication  with 
Marian." 

"  But  if  Jane  does  ?  "  commented  Louis. 

"  That  is  not  strictly  our  affair.  And,  Louis,  do  not  be 
too  ready  to  give  young  Ralston  the  encouragement  of 

this  letter,  even.  Mr.  Floyd  is  very  tenacious  and " 

129 


THE    WEAKER   VESSEL. 

"  Oh,  you  might  as  well  call  it  obstinate,"  laughed 
Louis.  "  Perhaps  Marian  may  inherit  some  of  the  same 
characteristics,  when  it  comes  to  the  point.  And  I  fancy 
we  are  all  on  her  side.  It  is  as  you  once  said,  Jack,  we  do 
have  to  take  sides !  " 

"  And  I'm  going  to  be  on  Marian's  side,"  said  Varina 
proudly.  "  I  don't  like  grandpapa  very  much.  Annis, 
what  will  you  do  ?  " 

"  I  like  Marian,"  she  replied    a  little  timidly. 

"  Now  we  must  go  and  see  what  side  Charles  will  take. 
The  old  knights  fought  for  the  ladies." 

"  I  see  you  are  all  arrayed  in  rebellion,"  and  the  squire 
shook  his  head.  "  I  am  afraid  I  have  not  brought  you  up 
properly." 

Jaqueline  and  Patty  went  to  Bladensburg,  which  was 
quite  a  resort.  Louis  joined  a  party  who  were  going 
down  the  Chesapeake  in  a  sailing  vessel,  and  the  three 
young  ones  played  and  disputed  and  made  up  friends. 
The  elders  essayed  several  duty  visits  to  the  Pineries,  but 
they  saw  the  girls  only  in  the  presence  of  their  parents, 
so  Marian  had  no  opportunity  of  explaining  how  matters 
were  going  with  her ;  but  she  was  thinner  and  heavy-eyed, 
and  had  lost  her  spirits.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Floyd  held  their 
heads  high  and  were  rather  captious. 

What  had  happened  when  Mr.  Greaves'  year  of  mourn 
ing  had  expired  was  that  he  went  over  to  the  Pineries 
one  afternoon  dressed  in  a  new  suit  and  gotten  up  quite 
in  the  style  of  the  day.  After  Marian  entered  the  room 
he  made  a  formal  proposal  for  her  hand  and  asked  her 
father's  consent. 

"  You  have  mine,  most  cordially,"  said  Mr.  Floyd  in 
his  grandest  manner.  "  It  is  my  wish  that  my  daughter 
should  accept  you  as  her  future  husband.  It  is  natural 
and  womanly  that  she  should  have  some  misgivings  on 
the  subject,  as  it  is  a  grave  one  and  full  of  responsibility. 

121 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

But  we  have  reared  her  to  do  her  duty  in  that  state  of  life 
to  which  it  shall  please  God  to  call  her.  And  her  mother 
and  I  hope  to  see  her  fill  this  place  in  your  home  and  your 
affections,  and  become  a  happy  wife  at  the  proper  time. 
We  are  in  no  hurry  to  part  with  her,  but  until  that  time 
you  will  be  a  most  welcome  guest." 

Marian  shivered,  but  her  tongue  clung  to  the  roof  of  her 
mouth  when  she  would  have  spoken.  It  seemed  to  her  as 
if  she  should  scream  if  he  touched  her  hand,  but  he  con 
tented  himself  with  making  a  rather  elaborate  speech  to 
her  mother,  and  pressing  the  elder's  hand  to  his  lips. 
There  was  some  wine  and  cake  brought  in,  and  healths 
were  drunk.  After  some  desultory  conversation  supper 
was  announced,  a  very  high  tea  befitting  a  festive  occa 
sion.  There  was  the  inevitable  game  of  whist  afterward. 
This  was  Thursday,  and  Sunday  Mr.  Greaves  walked 
over  to  the  Floyds'  pew,  and  down  the  aisle  with  Miss 
Marian,  Mrs.  Floyd  having  taken  Dolly  under  her  wing. 
And  the  matter  seemed  to  be  settled  without  any  voice 
from  Marian  either  way. 

"  But  it  is  dreadful !  I  never,  never  will  marry  him !  " 
sobbed  the  girl  on  Dolly's  neck  in  the  quiet  of  their  own 
chamber.  "  If  I  could  run  away !  And  if  I  only  knew 
about  Mr.  Ralston !  " 

"If  we  could  only  hear  from  Jane !  You  will  have  to 
let  things  go  on  and  hope  for  some  way  out  of  it.  I  won 
der  who  will  come  along  for  me  ?  And  we  might  be  hav 
ing  such  a  delightful  time  with  Jane !  I  sometimes  wish 
Mr.  Ralston  had  not  come  to  hand  and  spoiled  it  all." 

"  But  you  can't  think,  Dolly,  how  deliciously  sweet 
those  two  days  were !  A  whole  lifetime  of  that !  "  sigh 
ingly. 

"  But  men  only  love  that  way  a  little  while.  Then  it 
gets  to  be  an  old  story  'and  is  merely  respect,"  returned 
the  wise  younger  sister. 

122 


THE   WEAKER   VESSEL. 

"  I  am  sure  Arthur  is  fond  of  Jane  and  proud  enough 
of  her  too,  and  look  at  brother  Randolph !  Oh,  I  just 
envy  Jaqueline !  What  a  nice  time  she  will  have !  " 

Dolly  had  said  so  many  times,  "  It's  just  awful, 
Marian,"  that  she  had  nothing  more  left  to  say.  Then,  it 
was  hard  to  be  watched  and  questioned  and  not  allowed 
any  liberty  on  Marian's  account.  She  didn't  see  how 
Marian  could  run  away,  for  she  was  never  trusted  to  go 
anywhere  alone.  And  no  well-bred  girl  would  throw  her 
self  at  her  lover  without  a  very  urgent  invitation. 

The  clergyman  and  his  wife  came  in  to  tea,  and  found 
Mr.  Greaves  there,  and  congratulated  them  both.  Then 
the  neighbors  took  it  up  as  a  settled  thing,  and  poor 
Marian  felt  the  net  closing  about  her.  There  had  been 
a  vague  half -expectation  that  Lieutenant  Ralston  would 
make  some  effort  to  assure  her  of  his  constancy.  Or 
if  some  word  could  come  from  Jane! 

Louis  went  back  to  Williamsburg,  and  Patricia  was 
sent  for  some  educational  advantages.  There  was  a  new 
little  girl  at  the  Jettsons',  and  Jaqueline  was  to  be  one 
of  the  godmothers.  Afterward  Jane  pleaded  so  hard  for 
her  to  remain.  She  could  go  on  with  her  French  and  her 
singing,  as  she  had  a  very  pretty  voice  and  singing  was 
one  of  the  accomplishments  of  the  day.  Then,  too,  the 
Carringtons  were  very  glad  to  have  her.  Indeed,  Jaque 
line  was  a  great  favorite  for  her  vivacity  and  her  charm 
ing  manner,  which  was  so  pretty  and  deferential  to  her 
elders,  so  bright  and  winsome  to  her  compeers. 

Mrs.  Mason  took  up  the  education  of  the  two  little 
girls  with  Charles'  help.  He  went  over  to  the  house  of  the 
clergyman  every  morning,  who  was  a  graduate  of  Oxford 
and  quite  ready  to  piece  out  his  salary  with  a  class  of  five 
small  boys  in  the  neighborhood.  Charles  was  a  born 
student,  delighted  with  all  kinds  of  knowledge.  Annis 
was  always  interested  as  well. 

123 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  You  will  make  the  child  a  regular  bookworm,"  de 
clared  the  squire.  And  then  he  would  take  her  and 
Varina  off  for  a  canter  over  the  hills. 

"  I  don't  see  why  girls  and  women  shouldn't  love  to 
learn,"  Charles  said  to  his  mother. 

"  But  they  can't  be  doctors,  nor  ministers,  nor  judges, 
nor  politicians,"  smilingly. 

"  They  could  help  their  husbands  if  they  knew 
how." 

"  But  they  help  them  by  keeping  the  house  in  good 
order,  and  watching  the  servants,  and  sewing,  and  mak 
ing  their  husbands  comfortable  and  happy." 

"  I  want  Annis  to  learn  a  great  many  other  things, 
for  you  know  I  am  to  marry  her  when  we  are  grown  up," 
said  the  little  boy  gravely. 

Mrs.  Mason  smiled  at  his  earnestness. 

A  messenger  had  been  sent  down  from  the  Pineries 
early  in  December  to  invite  all  the  family  to  a  Christmas 
dinner.  Mrs.  Floyd  had  not  been  in  her  usual  health  for 
some  weeks  back,  and  now  that  the  cause  of  disagree 
ment  had  been  removed  she  was  anxious  to  receive  all  the 
family  that  could  come  together.  She  had  hoped  to 
have  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Conway,  but  he  could  not  leave  his 
parish  at  such  an  important  time.  So,  if  they  would 
waive  their  own  family  gathering  and  join  her  she  would 
be  most  grateful.  She  realized  that  she  and  Mr.  Floyd 
were  getting  to  be  old  people,  and  they  could  not  tell  how 
much  longer  they  might  be  spared. 

"  Then  it  is  all  settled  that  Marian  will  marry  Mr. 
Greaves,"  said  Mr.  Mason. 

His  wife  gave  a  little  sigh. 

Jaqueline  came  home  to  hear  the  verdict  and  vent  her 
indignation.  Jane  had  received  a  letter  from  her  father 
announcing  that  Marian  had  accepted  the  husband  selected 
for  her  and  given  up  her  rebellious  attitude.  So  the  fam- 

124 


THE   WEAKER   VESSEL. 

ily,  he  hoped,  would  meet  in  amity  once  more.  Mrs. 
Floyd  had  not  been  well  of  late,  and  was  desirous  of  see 
ing  her  new  little  granddaughter. 

"  Marian  can't  have  given  up  so  easily !  And  all  this 
time  Mr.  Ralston  has  been  so  confident !  What  an  awful 
disappointment  it  will  be  to  him !  He  has  gone  up  to  Phil 
adelphia  to  consult  with  some  engineers.  Oh,  papa,  can't 
something  be  done  ?  Jane  is  almost  wild  about  it." 

"  My  dear  girl,  if  Marian  is  satisfied " 

"  But  I  cannot  think  she  is.  She  did  love  Mr.  Ralston 
so!" 

"  A  girl's  fancy.  How  many  lovers  have  you  had  ? 
See  how  indulgent  I  am  to  trust  you  to  Jane,  who  really 
hasn't  much  more  sense  than  you." 

"  Why,  I  haven't  any  real  lover.  And  I  do  not  want 
one  for  ever  so  long."  Yet  she  flushed  and  dropped  her 
eyes. 

Perhaps  he  would  not  have  trusted  his  daughter  in  the 
giddy  whirl  of  society  if  he  had  not  known  of  someone 
every  way  worthy  and  acceptable,  who  was  watching  her 
and  waiting  for  the  right  moment  to  speak.  When  she 
had  taken  her  fling  of  gayety,  she  would  be  the  more 
ready  to  listen.  And  he  would  not  mar  what  he  really 
desired  by  seeming  to  bias  her  inclinations.  She  was  not 
a  girl  to  be  forced  into  a  step  or  have  her  patience  worn 
out,  as  he  suspected  was  the  case  with  his  young  sister 
Marian. 

"  Of  course  Jane  means  to  join  the  family  party?  " 

"  Oh,  yes.  Jane  has  been  almost  heartbroken  over  the 
matter.  She  is  very  fond  of  Marian  and  Dolly.  Oh, 
papa,  I  hope  you  won't  get  cross  and  queer  as  you  grow 
older !  " 

He  laughed  and  patted  her  shoulder.  "  Grandfather 
thinks  you  will  all  come  to  grief  from  over-indulgence." 

"  We  are  all  going  to  come  out  magnificently  in  the 

125 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

end,  just  to  prove  him  a  false  prophet  and  you  the  very 
dearest  of  fathers." 

"  You  are  a  sad  flatterer,  Jack.  I'm  afraid  you  learn  too 
much  of  it  in  the  gay  circles.  But  you  must  be  on  your 
best  behavior  at  the  Pineries,  and  not  stir  up  any  disaf 
fection.  Family  differences  are  very  disagreeable  things ; 
and,  after  all,  age  is  entitled  to  a  certain  indulgence  and 
respect.  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  you  were  a  queer,  arbi 
trary  old  lady  yourself." 

"  Oh,  papa !  "  reproachfully. 

Patricia  thought  it  very  hard  that  she  could  not  come 
home  for  Christmas,  which  was  the  great  holiday  of  all 
the  year.  But  Louis  was  not  coming;  he  had  some  ar 
rears  to  make  up,  and  was  also  very  much  interested  in 
one  of  a  certain  household  of  girls,  and  was  to  attend  their 
Christmas-Eve  ball.  Patty  grumbled  a  good  deal. 
Aunt  Catharine  treated  her  like  one  of  the  children.  She 
was  not  allowed  to  go  to  parties,  and  she  had  to  learn  all 
kinds  of  fancywork  and  cooking,  and  making  sauces  and 
everything.  "  And  I've  made  up  my  mind  if  keeping  a 
house  is  so  much  work  I  shall  never  get  married,"  de 
clared  the  much-tried  girl.  "  And  I  think  aunt  was 
much  nicer  as  an  old  maid  than  a  married  woman. 
Though  she's  a  great  personage  now,  and  everybody 
comes  to  her  for  advice  and  patterns  and  stitches  in  lace- 
making  and  recipes  for  everything.  If  I  ever  did  marry, 
I  wouldn't  be  a  clergyman's  wife." 

Mrs.  Conway  wrote  a  rather  stilted,  but  very  affection 
ate,  letter  to  her  mother  and  Marian.  She  congratulated 
the  latter  warmly.  Gray  Court  was  certainly  a  fine  old 
place.  Four  children  were  a  great  responsibility;  she 
found  her  three  a  continual  care,  but  Mr.  Conway  was  so 
devoted  to  his  study,  his  classes,  and  his  sermons  she 
could  have  no  help  from  him.  As  they  wanted  certainly 
to  come  to  the  marriage  in  the  spring,  it  was  better  to  wait 

126 


THE   WEAKER  VESSEL. 

until  then,  as  it  was  quite  impossible  to  get  away  now. 
She  sent  Marian  a  piece  of  fine  old  lace  that  she  had 
bought  from  a  parishioner  in  very  reduced  circumstances, 
and  who  was  the  last  of  her  line. 

The  Pineries  wore  a  welcome  aspect  for  the  guests. 
Great  fires  were  kept  blazing  in  the  wide  chimneys,  and 
the  Franklin  stove  in  the  hall  sent  out  pleasant  cheer. 
Brandon  the  son,  his  wife,  and  three  children  were  among 
the  first  guests.  The  Masons  added  six,  and  Mrs.  Jett- 
son  came  with  her  three  babies,  but  her  husband  was  not 
to  join  them  until  Christmas  morning,  on  account  of  some 
engagements. 

There  was  staying  at  the  house  a  young  Mr.  Floyd,  a 
distant  relative  from  South  Carolina.  It  was  plain  to  be 
seen  that  he  was  very  sweet  on  Dolly,  and  grandfather 
was  highly  elated. 

Mr.  Greaves  had  certainly  thawed  a  little.  He  was 
quite  lover-like  in  a  courtly  and  formal  fashion,  and  made 
himself  very  much  a  son  of  the  house.  In  arranging  for 
the  guests  Mrs.  Floyd  had  brought  her  two  daughters 
next  to  her  own  room  so  there  should  be  no  chance  for 
nightly  gossips  or  confidences  over  dressing.  Marian 
had  begun  to  think  a  home  of  her  own  desirable.  With 
the  unreason  of  womankind  she  felt  that  Mr.  Ralston 
ought  to  make  some  effort  to  learn  her  true  sentiments. 
As  he  had  not,  as  also  her  mother  persisted  that  young  so 
ciety  men  of  that  class  thought  it  entertainment  to  make 
love  to  every  woman  they  met,  she  had  yielded  reluctantly. 

Then,  too,  Gray  Court  was  a  fine  old  place.  It  had  not 
suffered  much  during  the  Revolution,  though  the  treasures 
of  plate  and  fine  china  had  been  buried  out  of  harm's  way. 
Marian  found  that  she  was  the  envy  of  the  elder  spinsters, 
and  even  the  younger  girls  thought  her  lucky.  So  she 
had  given  in  on  condition  that  the  marriage  should  not 
take  place  until  May. 

127 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Honey,  dat's  an  awful  onlucky  month !  "  said  her  old 
nurse. 

"  Then  it  shall  be  June,"  returned  the  prospective  bride. 

"  And  suppose  I  should  be  married  at  the  same  time ! 
This  is  Preston  Floyd's  second  visit,  and  he  and  father 
hit  off  wonderfully  well.  They  agree  in  politics,  and  I 
wonder  why  it  is  such  a  pleasure  to  have  the  country  go 
to  ruin.  However,  I  don't  think  it  will ;  it  has  stood  many 
storms.  And  Charleston  must  be  an  agreeable  city  to  live 
in,  if  all  be  true  that  is  said  about  it.  I  would  like  Phila 
delphia  or  New  York,  but  I  see  no  prospect  of  getting 
there.  So  if  Preston  asks  me  to  marry  him  I  shall  accept. 
I  don't  suppose  father  would  ever  trust  us  to  visit  Jane 
again.  And  when  you  are  gone  it  will  be  dismal.  Mar 
riage  seems  the  right  and  proper  thing.  I  wonder  if 
Jaqueline  has  a  lover !  " 

A  modern  girl  would  have  complained  that  Jaqueline 
made  "  big  eyes  "  at  Preston  Floyd.  Before  she  had  been 
an  hour  in  the  house  there  was  a  different  atmosphere. 
She  was  not  aggressive,  and  her  rather  hoydenish  ways 
were  toned  down  to  a  certain  fearless  elegance.  She  was 
bright  and  vivacious  and  had  bits  of  merry  wit  at  her 
tongue's  end,  yet  it  was  not  so  much  what  she  said  as  her 
manner  of  saying  it. 

"  I  can't  get  a  word  alone  with  Marian,"  complained 
Jane  to  the  young  girl.  "  But  I  must  say  that  Mr. 
Greaves  acquitted  himself  wonderfully  well  last  even 
ing.  Only  Mr.  Ralston  is  so  sure  Marian  will  be  faithful 
through  everything.  He  gave  me  so  many  messages 
for  her,  and  mother  makes  a  great  point  of  not  mention 
ing  his  name.  What  shall  I  do  ?  " 

"  It's  horrid !  I  do  believe  Marian  has  ceased  to  care 
for  him.  And  now  that  everything  is  settled  it  would 
seem  dreadful  to  stir  it  all  up  again.  Papa  insisted  that 
I  should  let  the  matter  entirely  alone." 

128 


THE    WEAKER   VESSEL. 

"  But  Mr.  Ralston  will  be  so  dreadfully  disappointed. 
He  was  so  proud  of  his  new  position  for  her  sake.  And 
Marian  really  puzzles  me.  She  seems  content.  Oh,  did 
you  see  that  exquisite  lace  Aunt  Catharine  sent  her?  Of 
course  it  is  all  settled,  and  if  Marian  is  satisfied — oh, 
Jaqueline,  I  hope  you  will  really  fall  in  love!  I  adore 
lovers,  even  if  I  am  the  mother  of  three  children.  I  mean 
that  my  little  girl  shall  have  a  delightful  time  when  she 
is  grown  up." 

The  children  were  having  a  gay  time.  Varina  was 
the  leader,  and  Annis,  with  her  soft  ways,  the  peace 
maker,  when  anything  went  wrong.  The  two  Jettson 
boys  adored  her.  Charles  roamed  over  the  old  house,  and 
pleased  grandfather  by  his  interest  in  family  legends  and 
the  history  of  various  articles  of  furniture  and  plate.  It 
was  grandfather's  boast  that  there  wasn't  a  stick  of  Yan 
kee  furniture  in  the  house.  Charles  longed  to  have  An 
nis  with  him,  but  though  grandfather  said  "  she  was  a  nice 
little  thing,"  he  did  not  take  very  fervently  to  little  girls, 
and  had  more  than  once  regretted  that  Jane  and  Marian 
had  not  been  boys. 

"  I  don't  see  what  you  find  interesting  about  those 
babies,"  Charles  said  rather  disdainfully.  "  They're 
always  wanting  to  tumble  over  you  and  make  a 
noise,  and  they're  never  as  funny  as  the  little  slave 
children,  who  can  amuse  you  if  you  want  that  sort 
of  fun.  I  wish  you'd  come  and  hear  grandfather 
talk  about  the  Indians  and  when  the  settlers  first 
came  to  Virginia." 

"  I  don't  think  he  quite  likes  me,"  Annis  said  hesita 
tingly,  with  a  nervous  little  laugh. 

"  As  well  as  he  likes  any  child  girls.  I  think  he  likes 
them  better  when  they  are  big  enough  to  play  whist.  But 
you  could  listen,  all  the  same." 

"  I  get  tired  of  just  listening.     I  like  the  children  be- 

129 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

cause  they  are  alive  and  can  laugh  and  talk.  The  other 
people  who  have  been  dead  so  long " 

"  But  you  liked  Captain  John  Smith,  and  the  Froissart 
men  who  were  so  brave.  And  King  Arthur " 

"  But  Grandfather  Floyd  said  there  never  was  any 
such  King  Arthur,  nor  Merlin,  nor  ever  so  many  other 
people." 

"  Grandfather  is  wrong  about  some  things.  And  it 
isn't  polite  to  contradict  him,  because  he  is  an  old  man. 
Oh,  do  come !  " 

"  Annis !  Annis !  "  called  two  or  three  eager  baby  voices. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  would  rather  be  with  them.  And  when  we 
get  home  you  may  tell  me  all  these  things.  They'll  sound 
so  much  better  than  in  grandpapa's  voice.  It  sometimes 
gets  shaky  and  seems  cold,  while  yours  is  soft  and  sweet 
and  fine  when  you  come  to  the  grand  places." 

That  mollified  the  boy,  who  certainly  had  become 
grandfather's  favorite,  and  was  pronounced  sensible. 

CHAPTER  X. 

A   CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

/T*HE  slaves  at  the  Pineries  were  kept  with  a  rather 
*•  strict  hand.  Very  few  were  sold  off  the  plantation, 
and  then  for  the  gravest  misconduct,  when  whipping 
had  ceased  to  be  efficacious.  But  they  had  increased 
largely,  and  were  often  hired  out,  those  for  the  year  at 
Christmas  or  the  beginning  of  the  year.  Christmas  Eve 
there  was  a  general  gathering,  and  they  were  allowed  a 
sort  of  ball  in  the  great  kitchen,  where  most  of  the  rough 
work  was  done.  There  were  music  and  song  singing, 
charms  were  tried,  and  they  ended  with  dancing.  All  the 
autumn  it  was  looked  forward  to  eagerly. 

The  supper  in  the  main  house  was  early,  and  the  smaller 

130 


A   CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

children  were  put  to  bed.  The  three  Masons  and  young 
Archibald  Floyd,  who  had  his  grandfather's  name,  were  to 
be  allowed  at  the  "  grand  occasion."  There  were  a  num 
ber  of  guests,  and  seats  around  the  outside  were  prepared 
for  them. 

"  And  we  used  to  open  the  dancing,"  said  Jane.  "  How 
proud  they  were  about  young  missy !  And  we  tried  some 
of  the  charms.  Looking  for  your  future  husband  in  a  pail 
of  water  with  a  mirror  at  the  bottom.  And  jumping  over 
the  candles — do  you  remember  that,  Polly?  What  fun 
we  used  to  have  with  the  girls !  Why,  it  is  three  or  four 
years  since  I  have  been  here  at  Christmastide." 

"Oh,  will  they  jump  over  the  candles?"  cried  Jaque- 
line.  "  They  did  it  at  the  Fairfaxes'  last  year,  and  Betty 
put  the  very  first  one  out." 

"  Why,  Betty  must  be  two  and  twenty,"  said  Jane.  "  It 
would  be  queer  if  the  sign  came  true." 

"  It  doesn't  really,"  laughed  Jaqueline.  "  It  is  like 
tipping  your  chair  over  and  tumbling  up  stairs." 

"  I  want  to  try  it,"  declared  Dolly.  "  If  you  go  over 
the  whole  seven  you  are  going  to  be  married  soon. 
The  others  count  for  years.  And  if  you  put  the  first  one 
out  you  will  surely  be  an  old  maid." 

Some  of  the  songs  were  very  pretty,  some  ridiculously 
funny,  several  embellished  by  pantomime.  Then  the 
charms  began.  The  first  few  were  rather  simple,  and 
caused  an  immense  amount  of  giggling  among  the  young 
Phillises.  The  shadow  faces  were  pursued  with  a  certain 
awe,  as  if  they  really  were  something  uncanny. 

Dolly,  Jaqueline,  and  a  young  lady  guest  were  the  only 
ones  of  the  "  quality  "  who  cared  to  look. 

"  It  is  as  much  your  own  shadow  as  anything,"  declared 
Taqueline,  "  and  it  quivers  so  that  you  can  hardly  make  it 
out." 

The  candles  were  lighted  and  placed  in  a  row  at  even 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

distances.  The  young  lads  tried  them  first.  There  were 
no  skirts  in  the  way,  and  they  went  over  them 
triumphantly. 

"  But  men  can  get  mah'ied  when  they  like,"  said  Rose, 
Marian's  pretty  young  maid,  in  her  soft  half-lisping  tone, 
"  but  girls  can't  always." 

"  Try,  Rose !  "  exclaimed  Jaqueline. 

"  I  doan  know  anyone  I  want.  An'  I'm  promised  to  go 
over  to  Gray  Court  with  Miss  Mayan." 

"  You'll  find  someone  there,  perhaps." 

Bathsheba,  tall  and  supple,  with  the  figure  of  a  Greek 
sculpture,  went  over  the  seven  triumphantly.  Sam  caught 
her  by  the  hand,  and  a  shout  went  up,  echoing  in  a  laugh 
ing  chorus. 

Others  tried  it  with  varying  luck,  evident  mortification, 
and  disappointment.  There  were  some  who  had  been 
practicing  in  secret  the  whole  week,  and  were  well  pre 
pared. 

"  Now  I  am  going  to  try,"  said  Dolly ;  and  there  was  a 
general  applauding  among  the  slaves.  The  space  was 
made  a  little  larger,  though  eyes  were  eager  and  necks 
were  craned;  and  broad  smiles  illuminated  black  and 
brown  faces. 

"  Way  for  Miss  Dolly  now.  She  goin'  ober  de  whole 
row.  Whoop,  now  !  "  and  Jep  gave  his  knee  a  resounding 
slap. 

Dolly  gathered  up  her  skirts.  The  first  jump  was  a 
success,  the  candle  only  flaring  a  little.  The  second — then 
some  clapping  began.  The  third  dainty  leap  brought  more 
applause,  then  on  and  on  until  she  had  cleared  the  mysti 
cal  number.  Shouts  and  laughter  almost  shook  the  roof. 

"  I  knew  you  could  do  it,  Miss  Dolly,"  said  Rose,  in  ex 
ultation.  "  And  Miss  Mayan  can,  too." 

"  Now  you  will  sec  my  luck,"  and  Jaqueline  stepped 
out  on  the  floor. 

132 


A   CHRISTMAS    AUGURY. 

"  One — two."  Out  went  the  third  candle,  but  Jaqueline 
kept  on  and  put  out  the  fourth.  She  had  half  a  mind  to 
be  angry. 

"  Well,  two  years  isn't  long  to  wait,"  remarked  Dolly 
consolingly. 

"  It  isn't  the  waiting.  I  don't  see  how  I  could  have 
been  so  stupid,  for  I  can  jump  almost  anything." 

Miss  Marshall  was  a  little  timid,  but  went  through  the 
ordeal  successfully,  amid  bravos. 

"  Marian,  try  your  luck,"  said  Dolly,  as  Preston  Floyd 
squeezed  her  hand  so  hard  it  brought  a  flush  to  her  cheek. 
"  Ought  she  not,  Cousin  Preston  ?  She's  the  only  re 
maining  single  girl  here." 

"  Yes,  she  must,"  insisted  Jaqueline.  "  You'll  all  have 
time  to  get  good  and  ready  for  my  wedding." 

Jaqueline  had  recovered  her  spirits,  and  caught  Mar 
ian's  arm,  laughing  gayly. 

"  Yes.  Why  it's  rare  fun !  Come,  Marian.  Then  I'll 
try.  I  shall  go  the  whole  seven,"  declared  Preston. 

Marian  hung  back,  but  they  all  persisted.  If  Mr. 
Greaves  had  been  there,  or  her  mother,  but  the 
elders  had  settled  to  whist,  there  being  enough  for  two 
tables.  Some  sudden  spirit  roused  her.  She  had  done 
it  times  before.  She  would  be  young  and  gay  just  for 
five  minutes. 

"  Come."  Preston  was  leading  her  out,  to  Jane's  utter 
surprise.  Marian  had  been  so  dignified  for  the  last  twen 
ty-four  hours ;  ten  years  older,  it  seemed,  than  last  winter. 
And  how  girlish  then ! 

"  Marian !  " 

Preston  laughed.  "  Now,  Cousin  Marian.  The  whole 
seven,  for  the  honor  of  the  house  of  Floyd." 

There  were  two  graceful,  successful  leaps.  Her  hand 
trembled,  half  a  yard  of  skirt  dropped,  and  out  went  the 
third  candle.  There  was  a  general  cry  of  disappointment. 

133 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  That  was  an  accident,"  declared  Preston.  "  Light  the 
candle.  Marian,  you  shall  have  another  chance." 

"  No,  no,  no !  "  She  caught  Jane's  arm.  "  It  was  very 
silly,"  but  her  voice  had  a  strained,  broken  sound,  and  she 
looked  frightened. 

"  Take  your  turn,  Cousin  Preston,  then  let  them  go  to 
dancing.  The  fiddlers  are  tuning  up." 

Jane  drew  her  sister  a  little  aside,  while  Preston  Floyd 
won  the  acclaim  of  the  crowd. 

"  Are  you  happy  and  satisfied,  Marian,  or  miserable?  " 
she  asked  in  a  rapid  tone,  just  under  her  breath.  "  You 
are  so  queer  and  changed." 

"  Don't,"  Marian  entreated.  "  Of  course  I  shall  marry 
Mr.  Greaves.  That  was  girlish  foolishness,  you  know. 
And  the  candles  really  didn't  mean  anything.  Jaqueline," 
as  the  girl  had  come  up  to  her,  "  we  were  both  in  the  same 
boat  for  awkwardness.  I  think  I  must  be  growing  old, 
but  you  did  not  have  so  good  an  excuse.  Do  you  want  to 
stay  for  the  dancing?  Had  we  not  better  all  return  to 
the  drawing  room  ?  " 

The  younger  group  demurred. 

"  Then  Jane  will  stay  and  play  propriety." 

Marian  turned  swiftly,  and  was  gone  before  Jane  could 
utter  a  word.  But  she  paused  in  the  hall  and  leaned  up 
against  the  door  jamb  that  was  almost  like  a  column.  Her 
breath  came  quick  and  hard. 

"  It  is  too  late,"  she  said  breathlessly,  to  herself.  "  And 
he  doesn't  care.  I  have  passed  my  word,  and  to  break  it 
would  call  down  a  judgment  upon  myself.  Then — I 
couldn't,"  and  .she  shuddered.  "  I  am  not  daring  like 
Jaqueline,  or  even  Dolly.  But  Dolly  thinks  it  best." 

When  she  entered  the  room  her  mother  glanced  up 
with  sharp  inquiry  that  softened  as  she  motioned  her  to 
her  side. 

"  Did  you  get  tired  of  the  nonsense  ?  "  she  asked,  in  an 

134 


A    CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

approving  tone.  "  My  hand  is  most  played  out,  and  you 
shall  take  my  place." 

Mr.  Greaves  sat  over  opposite.  He  raised  his  serious, 
self-complacent  face.  She  could  recall  another, — eager, 
warm  with  rushing  emotions, — and  it  stood  back  of  this 
one  like  a  shadow.  But,  somehow,  it  did  not  beckon  her. 
She  was  only  a  commonplace  girl,  rather  straitly  and 
strictly  reared,  with  obedience  impressed  upon  her  from 
babyhood.  Her  father  and  mother  always  kept  their 
promises,  and  she  must  do  the  same. 

The  fun  was  fast  and  furio'us  out  in  the  great  kitchen. 
But  at  ten  the  mistress  appeared  and  made  them  a  little 
speech.  They  were  to  go  to  their  cabins  in  an  orderly 
manner,  and  any  disturbance  would  be  reported.  To 
morrow  morning  they  would  come  for  their  gifts,  and 
the  week  would  be  one  of  holidays. 

"  T'ankee,  missus ;  t'ankee,  missus !  "  came  from  voices 
still  full  of  jollity;  and  woolly  heads  bobbed  in  a  tu 
multuous  manner. 

Christmas  Day  was  made  festive  by  a  grand  dinner,  to 
which  all  the  gentry  round  were  invited.  The  children 
had  theirs  in  a  smaller  room,  with  quite  ornate  serving, 
and  afterward  there  were  games  until  dark,  when  the 
visitors  were  sent  home  in  the  different  carriages.  Every 
body  was  tired  from  the  festivities,  and  the  day  had  cer 
tainly  been  a  success. 

"  I  suppose  the  lieutenant  is  quite  crowded  out  of  it 
all  ?  "  inquired  Mr.  Jettson  of  his  wife.  "  Really,  Mr. 
Greaves  isn't  so  bad.  But  Ralston  will  take  it  mightily 
hard.  He'd  wait  seven  years  for  a  woman.  And 
Marian  seems,  somehow,  years  older,  and  is  beginning  to 
have  some  of  your  mother's  dignity." 

"  It  is  all  settled,  certainly.  As  a  topic  it  is  interdicted, 
and  one  doesn't  get  a  chance  at  Marian.  Mother  and 
father  are  elated,  only  that  isn't  quite  the  word  to  apply 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

to  them.  And  there  is  the  Floyd  cousin,  very  much  smit 
ten  with  Dolly,  and  I  suppose  that  will  be  a  match.  I 
feel  as  if  I  had  lost  both  of  the  girls.  I  had  planned  to 
do  so  much  for  Marian,  and  keep  her  near  to  me." 

Mrs.  Jettson  sighed  plaintively. 

"  You  poor  girl !  Then  you  will  have  to  comfort  your 
self  with  Jaqueline." 

"  It's  queer,"  continued  Jane  retrospectively,  "  but  Ran 
dolph's  family  seem  nearer  to  me  since  they  are  growing 
up  than  my  own  sisters  and  brother.  Brandon  is  so  bit 
ter  against  the  administration,  and  such  a  tremendous 
aristocrat,  while  Randolph  is  always  jolly  and  good- 
humored,  if  he  can't  quite  approve  of  what  is  done.  And 
Jaqueline  is  so  diverting  and  attractive,  while  Mrs.  Pa 
tricia  is  charming.  If  Dolly  should  go  away " 

"  Preston  Floyd  is  an  agreeable  young  fellow.  Of 
course  the  family  is  all  right,  and  the  money,  I  suppose. 
Your  father  will  look  out  for  that." 

"  I  know  Marian  isn't  happy " 

"  It's  a  sad  piece  of  business,  but  it  is  too  late  to  move 
in  it  now." 

Jane  felt  this  was  true.  Could  her  father  have  made 
her  give  up  her  lover  ?  Certainly  he  was  not  as  arbitrary 
then.  Or  was  it  her  salvation  that  no  rich  lover  came  to 
hand? 

There  was  another  day  of  festivity,  and  a  dinner  to 
some  who  could  not  come  on  Christmas  Day.  Miss 
Greaves  was  present  with  the  two  elder  children,  who 
were  stiff  and  proper.  She  did  not  altogether  approve  of 
the  young  wife,  when  there  were  more  suitable  women 
ready  to  take  her  brother. 

The  Masons  gathered  up  their  flock  and  drove  home 
immediately  afterward,  Mr.  Jettson  going  with  them,  and 
the  others  were  to  follow  the  next  day. 

"  There  wasn't  much  fun  at  grandpapa's,  except  on 

136 


A   CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

Christmas  Eve,"  declared  Varina.  "  Archie  Floyd  thinks 
he  owns  the  whole  world.  If  grandpapa  should  die  they 
will  come  there  to  live,  and  Uncle  Brandon  own  the 
slaves  and  everything." 

"  Children  must  not  discuss  such  matters,"  said  her 
father  rather  peremptorily. 

"  But  Archie  said " 

"  No  matter  about  Archie." 

Varina  frowned  and  twitched  her  shoulders. 

"  Papa,"  said  Charles  after  a  pause,  "  shall  you  leave 
the  plantation  and  everything  to  Louis  because  he  is  the 
oldest?" 

"  My  son,  I  warn  you  that  I  shall  live  a  long,  long 
while.  You  will  all  have  a  chance  to  make  your  own 
fortunes  and  marry  and  have  homes  of  your  own.  So 
don't  trouble  about  any  such  foolishness.  And  you  are 
all  too  young  to  consider  the  point." 

"  But  people  do  in  England." 

"  We  are  not  in  England,"  commented  his  father  dryly. 

"  What  a  mess  of  nonsense  has  been  talked  at  the 
Pineries !  "  he  said  to  his  wife  with  some  vexation  after 
ward.  "  Mr.  Floyd  has  grown  very  grasping,  and  thinks 
so  much  of  money.  And  that  boy  puts  on  airs  enough 
for  three  grown-up  fellows.  Let  children  be  children, 
say  I,  and  not  bother  their  heads  about  the  affairs  of 
older  people.  I'm  sorry  for  Marian.  Anyone  can  see 
that  her  heart  is  not  in  this  marriage.  She's  changed  be 
yond  everything.  But  it  is  set  for  the  spring.  Dolly  will 
be  more  like  to  have  her  own  way,  as  the  Fates  have  sent 
her  an  acceptable  lover." 

Jaqueline  was  all  in  a  flurry  to  go  to  Washington,  and 
started  at  the  first  opportunity.  The  Carringtons  had 
begged  for  a  week,  as  some  cousins  were  coming,  and  they 
were  to  give  the  young  people  a  ball. 

"  You  are  a  sad  gadabout,"  sighed  her  father.     "  But 

137 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

you  keep  the  house  astir  here  with  your  coming  and  go 
ing.  It  is  time  you  began  to  learn  something  useful.  I 
shall  look  up  a  nice  steady-going  man  of  forty  or  there 
abouts,  and  marry  you  out  of  hand  some  day." 

"  Let  me  see — is  there  anyone  near  here  that  answers 
the  requirements  ?  "  and  she  laughed  saucily  as  she  put 
her  soft  arms  around  her  father's  neck.  "  He  must  have 
an-  estate,  of  course, — it  will  not  do  for  me  to  fall  behind 
hand  in  family  dignity, — and  a  long  pedigree.  Do  you 
know  whether  the  Masons,  like  the  old  Scotch  woman's 
ancestors,  had  a  boat  of  their  own  at  the  time  of  the 
flood?" 

"  I  am  pretty  sure  there  must  have  been  Masons,"  he 
replied  gravely. 

Mrs.  Jettson  received  her  with  open  arms.  "  Jaque- 
line,  have  you  any  idea  of  how  fortunate  you  are  ?  Con 
gress  is  in  session,  and  I  have  never  known  Washington 
so  gay.  And  the  White  House  is  fine  in  its  new  array, 
while  Mrs.  Madison  is  as  charming  as  ever.  And  Mrs. 
Van  Ness  is  giving  the  most  elegant  entertainments. 
Roger  Carrington  was  in  here  last  evening  to  see  if  you 
really  were  coming." 

"  Mrs.  Carrington  gives  a  ball  next  Tuesday  evening 
for  some  young  visitors.  And  I  am  invited  over  to 
Georgetown  for  a  week.  So  I  just  coaxed  to  come  up 
here  a  few  days,  for  you  would  know  about  suit 
able  gowns.  I  don't  suppose  you  have  heard  from 
Marian  ?  " 

"  Not  a  word.  But  Arthur  told  Lieutenant  Ralston. 
Really,  my  dear,  he  had  half  a  mind  to  go  up  there  and 
tear  her  out  of  the  family  bosom  by  main  force.  He 
couldn't  believe  it  at  first.  He  wrote  a  letter  to  Marian, 
but  I  am  certain  no  one  could  get  it  to  her,  although  he 
sent  by  a  special  messenger.  I  have  given  up.  And 
Dolly's  engagement  is  announced.  Mr.  Floyd  spoke  be- 

138 


A   CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

fore  he  went  away.  I  had  such  a  complacent  letter  from 
mother.  It  made  me  angry,  it  really  did.  Well,  her 
whole  duty  is  done,  unless  she  lives  to  marry  off  her 
granddaughters. " 

"I  suppose  Dolly  is  really  in  love?"  Jaqueline  had 
not  considered  her  very  enthusiastic.  She  had  a  girl's 
romantic  ideal  of  love,  fostered  by  the  attention  and  af 
fection  her  father  gave  her  stepmother.  Had  he  loved 
her  own  mother  in  that  fashion? 

"  Dolly  is  a  little  ninny !  "  declared  the  elder  sister  in 
disdain.  '  They  all  thought  she  was  going  wild  over 
that  young  Chase,  but  she  seemed  to  drop  him  easy 
enough.  He  is  going  to  the  bad  as  fast  as  possible, 
though  I  don't  believe  in  a  woman  wrecking  her  whole 
life  to  save  a  man,  for,  after  all,  she  rarely  does  it.  And 
I'm  sorry  to  have  Dolly  go  so  far  away.  Oh,  I  do  won 
der  if  I  shall  ever  be  glad  to  have  baby  Jaqueline  marry 
and  go  out  of  my  sight!  Yet  I  suppose  having  old 
maids  on  your  hands  is  rather  mortifying.  There  are 
some  new  shops  on  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  with  such 
pretty  things,  although  there  is  so  much  talk  about  the 
difficulty  of  getting  goods  from  abroad.  And  every 
body  complains  of  money  being  scarce,  but  there  seems 
a  good  deal  to  spend,  some  way." 

Washington  was  certainly  looking  up.  Handsome 
houses  were  being  built,  and  famous  men  were  to  be  seen 
in  the  streets  and  at  the  different  entertainments.  There 
were  weekly  dinner  parties  at  the  White  House,  man 
aged  with  such  tact  that  no  one  was  affronted,  those  left 
out  knowing  their  turn  would  come  next. 

Jane  and  Mr.  Jettson  had  an  engagement  that  even 
ing — "  a  dinner  where  they  are  going  to  talk  improve 
ments  and  the  best  way  of  getting  a  grant  from  Con 
gress;  no  dancing  and  no  nice  young  men  to  flatter  a 
lady,"  declared  Mr.  Jettson.  "Jane  thinks  them  tire- 

139 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

some,  but  she  can  put  in  a  word  now  and  then,  since  it  is 
our  bread  and  butter." 

"  Oh,  I'd  rather  stay  at  home !  There  is  that  '  Lay  of 
the  Last  Minstrel '  to  read.  Who  is  this  wonderful  new 
poet  ?  Aunt  Catharine  made  me  read  '  The  Course  of 
Time  '  when  I  paid  her  my  visit ;  aloud,  too,  so  I  couldn't 
skip  much,  but  it  was  dreadfully  tiresome.  This  goes 
along  with  a  rush." 

So  Jaqueline  settled  herself  in  the  easiest  chair  she 
could  find,  and  put  her  feet  on  the  rounds  of  another. 
The  candles  gave  a  softened  light ;  but  in  spite  of  interest 
she  was  getting  drowsy  when  there  was  a  hasty  knock 
and  a  discussion  in  the  hall.  Then  Sam  opened  the  door 
and  ushered  in  Lieutenant  Ralston. 

"  I  hope  you  won't  think  me  a  nuisance,"  as  Jaqueline 
was  straightening  herself  up  in  some  confusion,  and  feel 
ing  if  the  knot  of  abundant  hair  was  on  the  top  of  her 
head  or  pushed  over  one  side.  "  I'm  sorry  Mrs.  Jettson 
is  out,  and  I  recall  the  fact  now  that  she  had  an  en 
gagement.  But  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you,  selfishly  glad. 
Do  I  interrupt  anything  important  ?  " 

"  Oh,  no !  "     She  held  out  her  hand  cordially. 

"  You  were  up  to  the  Pineries,"  he  began  abruptly. 
"  Did  Marian  seem " 

"  We  didn't  think  her  real  happy."  Jaqueline  hesi 
tated.  How  much  ought  she  to  admit? 

"  I  wrote  her  a  letter.  I  wanted  to  know  the  truth. 
You  see,  I  have  been  perfectly  honorable.  I  told  her  I 
would  wait  seven  years  or  twice  seven  years,  and  she 
promised  to  do  the  same.  I  couldn't  believe  she  accepted 
this  man  of  her  own  free  will.  And  then  I  wrote,  taking 
precautions  to  have  it  reach  her.  It  has  been  opened  and 
returned  to  me  without  a  word.  Here  it  is.  That  is 
not  Miss  Floyd's  handwriting." 

"  It  is  grandpapa's." 

140 


A   CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

"  Do  you  suppose  she  gave  the  letter  to  him?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  she  must  have.  You  see,  the  engage 
ment  has  been  announced  everywhere,  and  they  sit  to 
gether  in  church.  The  neighbors  give  little  companies 
for  them,  and  Mr.  Greaves  acts  as  if  he  had  full  right 
to  her." 

Ralston  dashed  the  letter  to  the  floor.  "  Then  she  is 
weak  and  false !  "  he  cried  in  a  passion.  "  I  could  wait 
with  very  little  encouragement,  so  long  as  it  was  waiting. 
We  are  both  young,  and  I  have  my  fortune  to  make.  But 
when  she  engages  herself  to  another,  when — Mrs.  Jettson 
said  there  was  talk  of  a  marriage  in  the  spring !  Even  if 
she  had  written  to  explain — I  think  I  could  have  stood 
being  given  up  by  her  if  she  had  said  it  was  a  mistake, 
and  she  had  found  she  was  over-hasty.  It  was  sudden — 
done  in  those  two  days;  but  then  I  had  seen  her  fre 
quently  during  her  visit  to  Mrs.  Jettson,  and  I  was  sure 
she  cared  for  me.  She  had  a  kind  of  shy  way — looking 
back  and  forth;  do  you  remember  it?  But  perhaps  the 
glances  are  only  meant  for  a  lover's  eyes,"  smiling  faintly 
in  spite  of  the  anger.  "  Either  she  loved  me  or  she  was  a 
coquette." 

"  She  is  not  a  coquette ! "  exclaimed  Jaqueline  de 
cisively.  "  And  she  never  had  a  real  lover  until " 

Then  the  girl  stopped  and  flushed. 

"  What  I  can't  understand  is  her  accepting  this  man  if 
she  loved  me,  taking  his  caresses  and  his  plans  for  a  life 
together " 

"  Oh,  he  isn't  the  caressing  sort !  "  interrupted  Jaque 
line.  "  And  yet  I  don't  see  how  she  could,  if  she  loved 
you.  I  wouldn't  have  been  forced  to  accept  him.  I 
wouldn't  have  promised  anybody.  I  would  just  have 
waited.  But  Grandfather  Floyd  is  very  arbitrary,  and 
when  he  makes  up  his  mind,  there  is  no  relenting.  Oh,  I 
am  afraid  you  can't  understand!  You  don't  know  him." 

141 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  The  time  is  past  when  a  woman  is  compelled  to  marry 
a  man  she  doesn't  want,"  he  said  with  an  angry  sneer. 
"  I  know  the  old  adage  says  that  a  continual  dropping  will 
wear  away  a  stone.  But  this  has  been  such  a  little  while. 
There  may  be  shaly  natures  that  the  dropping  disinte 
grates  rapidly.  And  you  girls  never  talked  with  her 
about  it,  which  seems  strange  to  me." 

"  We  scarcely  saw  her  alone.  And  we  were  strictly 
forbidden  to  speak  of  it." 

"  Then  he  must  have  felt  afraid  of  your  influence." 

Ralston  looked  eagerly  at  the  girl,  as  if  he  was  search 
ing  for  some  ground  of  hope. 

"  It  can't  be  changed  any  way,  I  think.  Marian  has  ac 
cepted  it,  and  the  whole  neighborhood  has  congratulated 
her.  The  wedding  has  been  put  down  as  a  certainty." 

"  If  I  pity  her  I  shall  keep  on  loving  her  and  thinking 
something  may  happen.  And  if  I  believe  her  weak  and 
false  I  shall  despise  her  and  get  over  it.  One  couldn't 
respect  such  a  weak  woman !  " 

Jaqueline  wanted  to  make  a  protest.  It  was  very  hard 
to  be  despised,  and  she  thought  Marian  hardly  deserved 
that. 

"  I  suppose  this  wouldn't  have  happened  if  I  had  been 
the  rich  man,"  and  there  were  lines  of  scorn  about  his 
mouth. 

Jaqueline  knew  it  wouldn't.  Did  not  money  measure 
most  of  the  things  in  this  life?  And  Lieutenant  Ralston 
was  young,  energetic,  very  good-looking,  and  delightful ; 
Mr.  Greaves  was  thin,  with  a  large  nose,  and  high,  nar 
row  forehead,  his  hair  sprinkled  with  gray  at  the  tem 
ples.  He  was  gentlemanly,  but  rather  pompous;  and 
there  was  nothing  entertaining  about  him,  unless  it  was  to 
old  Mr.  Floyd.  Marian  had  always  seemed  so  young. 

"  If  I  knew  who  returned  that  letter !  If  I  knew  she 
had  seen  it !  "  He  was  walking  back  and  forth,  and  just 

142 


A   CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

touched  it  with  the  toe  of  his  boot.  It  would  have  a  curi 
ous  sacredness  if  it  had  been  in  her  hands;  her  father's 
hands  and  eyes  made  it  a  thing  to  be  despised.  Had  he 
sneered  over  it? 

"  I  am  quite  sure  she  never  saw  it,"  returned  Jaque- 
line  decisively. 

He  picked  it  up  and  threw  it  into  the  fire. 

"  You  see,"  he  began  apologetically,  "  that  I  have  come 
to  you  and  Mrs.  Jettson  because  you  were  near  to  her  and 
knew  her  best.  I  dare  say  I  have  made  myself  quite 
ridiculous,  prating  of  love " 

"  Oh,  no,  not  that !  "  she  interrupted  quickly.  "  And 
I  am  so  sorry  it  has  come  out  this  way.  I  was  so  inter 
ested  in  it  all,  and  even  papa  liked  you  so  much." 

That  was  comforting.  He  would  be  proud  of  the  es 
teem  of  such  a  man  as  Randolph  Mason.  Other  men 
had  failed  to  win  their  first  loves.  Even  Mr.  Madison, 
as  the  story  went,  had  been  positively  engaged  to  a 
charming  young  woman  who  had  changed  her  mind 
and  married  another.  And  where  would  one  find  a 
more  devoted  couple  than  the  President  and  his 
wife,  who  had  had  her  youthful  love  and  misfortunes 
and  sorrows? 

"  When  a  man  resolves  to  put  a  thing  out  of  his  mind 
he  can  do  it  if  he  has  any  force  of  character."  Ralston 
held  his  head  up  very  erect  now,  though  he  still  kept  pac 
ing  the  floor. 

"  That  would  be  best,"  advised  Jaqueline. 

"  Oh,  yes ;  there  is  no  use  going  about  the  world  crying 
for  the  moon,  when  the  sun  shines  as  much  again,  and 
there  is  a  good  deal  to  do.  So  I  shall  not  be  a  lovelorn 
swain,  but  go  on  with  an  earnest  effort,  for  I  have  some 
ambitions,  and  though  the  times  may  seem  tame  by  con 
trast  with  the  stirring  events  of  our  fathers',  there  are 
Still  grave  questions  to  study.  It  is  not  all  froth  and 

143 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

amusement.  I  hope  you  are  going  to  remain  a  while. 
You're  like  a  sister  to  Mrs.  Jettson." 

"  I  am  invited  to  Georgetown  for  a  week.  And  I  think 
I  shall  stay  quite  a  while.  It's  so  delightful  here,  and 
rather  dull  at  home.  I  do  miss  Patricia  very  much." 

"  And  there  is  a  ball  at  the  Carringtons'.  I  am  glad 
you  are  to  be  there.  Roger  and  I  are  fast  friends.  And 
now  have  I  not  bored  you  enough?  I  will  try  to  make 
amends  in  the  future.  Will  you  tell  Mrs.  Jettson  the  re 
sult  of  my  letter?  She  warned  me.  Your  father 
warned  me ;  but  I  suppose  willful  youth  will  have  its  own 
way.  Good-night.  Let  me  see — there  is  a  levee  to-mor 
row  evening,  and  you  have  not  seen  the  new  plenishings 
yet.  We  are  very  grand  in  yellow  satin  and  damask. 
If  Mrs.  Jettson  is  not  engaged  you  must  go." 

"  Poor  Marian ! "  Jaqueline  sighed,  in  relating  the  in 
terview  to  Jane  and  contrasting  the  lovers.  "  I  don't  be 
lieve  grandpapa  could  compel  me,  and  she  is  so  much 
older,  too.  And  when  she  sees  Dolly's  delight  and  hap 
piness  ! " 

"  I  have  given  her  up,"  confessed  Mrs.  Jettson.  "  She 
may  be  comfortable,  and  perhaps  happier  than  at  home. 
Oh,  Jaqueline,  be  thankful  that  your  father  doesn't  be 
long  to  the  Floyd  branch !  For  Brandon  will  be  his  father 
right  over  again.  There  must  be  a  sort  of  Puritan  strand 
in  them.  When  you  find  me  so  stiff  and  strenuous  you 
had  better  banish  me  at  once." 

Jaqueline  met  some  people  at  the  levee  who  remem 
bered  her,  which  was  quite  flattering  to  the  young  girl. 
She  hardly  knew  which  of  her  cavaliers  she  admired 
most,  the  fine-looking  lieutenant  or  Mr.  Carrington. 
Both  were  made  much  of  by  the  ladies,  and  cordially  rec 
ognized  by  the  men  of  the  period  who  were  to  be  the 
heroes  of  succeeding  generations. 

The  ball  was  quite  delightful.  Though  it  was  given 

144 


A   CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

for  the  young  people,  there  were  mothers  and  aunts,  and 
not  a  few  fathers  who  dropped  in  later  in  the  evening. 
Young  people  were  not  left  to  themselves,  and  the  elders 
enjoyed  seeing  the  pretty  triumphs  of  their  daughters 
and  telling  little  anecdotes  of  their  own  youth  and  their 
conquests. 

It  was  true  that  Lieutenant  Ralston  did  not  wear  the 
willow  outwardly.  Yet  as  time  went  on  and  his  love  for 
Marian  having  nothing  to  feed  upon  chilled  the  warm 
exultation  of  hope,  he  grew  a  trifle  bitter  at  heart,  and  in 
dulged  in  some  cynical  reflections  that  had  stings  of  wit. 
Indeed,  wit  and  repartee  were  largely  cultivated  then. 
There  were  few  books  to  talk  about,  except  among  the 
learned  men,  who  still  affected  classic  lore.  And  it  was 
not  considered  a  womanly  accomplishment  for  the  fair 
sex  to  be  versed  in  politics.  It  seems  strange  to  us  now 
that  there  should  have  been  so  much  talk  in  letters  and 
journals  about  finery  and  fashion,  and  who  was  paying 
his  addresses  to  this  or  that  young  damsel,  and  the  fur 
nishing  of  someone's  new  house. 

Perhaps  the  women  of  that  time  were  more  discreet. 
For  Mrs.  Madison  must  have  been  close  in  her  husband's 
confidence  all  those  trying  years,  and  known  how  to  leave 
a  good  deal  unsaid.  But  general  society  then  was  for  the 
entertainment  of  all,  and  each  one  was  expected  to  do  his 
or  her  share.  Good-breeding  was  a  virtue. 

Jaqueline  was  gay  enough.  Virginian  girls  had  a 
charm  and  attractiveness  besides  mere  beauty  of  fea 
ture.  So  week  by  week  her  return  home  was  put  off, 
until  a  visit  from  Dolly  Floyd  was  announced.  Mr. 
Floyd  was  quite  ailing,  and  his  wife  could  not  leave  him. 
Mrs.  Mason  was  asked  to  consult  with  Mrs.  Jettson  and 
see  what  was  proper,  and  have  the  wedding  trousseau 
prepared,  since  Dolly  was  to  go  away,  and  there  was 
hardly  time  to  send  abroad.  Mr.  Floyd  had  insisted  upon 

J45 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

a  wedding  just  after  Easter,  as  he  was  to  go  to  New 
York  to  attend  to  some  business  for  his  father,  and  he 
would  be  delighted  to  have  Dolly  bear  him  company. 

"  But  Marian  ?  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Mason,  when  Dolly 
had  unfolded  her  budget. 

"  Marian  insists  that  she  won't  be  married  until  June. 
And  mother  has  given  her  that  beautiful  pearl-satin  gown 
in  which  she  was  married  to  papa,  and  after  that  she  grew 
so  stout  she  could  never  wear  it.  But  mother  prefers 
that  she  shall  be  married  in  white.  Marian  has  grown  to 
be  quite  an  old  woman  already ;  you  can't  think  how  queer 
she  is ! " 

Mrs.  Mason's  heart  went  out  with  sympathy  to  her 
young  sister-in-law,  who  was  trying  in  such  a  rigid 
fashion  to  fit  herself  for  her  new  life.  Mrs.  Jettson  felt 
rather  hurt  at  first  that  the  matter  was  not  delegated 
wholly  to  her,  since  the  shopping  and  the  work  must  be 
done  in  Washington. 

"  But,  you  see,  I  am  to  get  some  things  in  New  York 
afterward,  and  Mrs.  Marshall  brought  over  some  pat 
terns  that  her  sister  sent  from  Paris,  and  she  is  to  send 
us  her  mantua-maker.  You  know  she  had  Sarah 
trained,  when  they  were  over,  to  make  frocks  and  caps 
and  mantles.  She  is  to  sew  for  Marian." 

"  And  is  Marian  as  happy  as  you  ?  "  asked  Mrs.  Jett 
son,  studying  the  young  girl. 

Dolly  shrugged  her  shoulders.  She  was  a  flippant  lit 
tle  thing,  occupied  mostly  with  herself.  Her  own  pleas 
ure  came  first. 

"  I  don't  see  how  she  can  be,  with  that  stick  of  a  lover. 
I'm  sure  you  can't  compare  him  with  Preston.  But  if 
he  suits  her — and  she's  trying  to  take  an  interest  in  the 
children.  I  think  they're  hideous.  Oh,  Jane,  it  is  a 
great  shame  the  lieutenant  hadn't  been  better  off!  He's 
guch  a  delightful  fellow.  There  was  a  dreadful  time 

140 


A   CHRISTMAS   AUGURY. 

about  him.  But,  good  gracious !  I  was  not  to  say  a 
word,"  and  Dolly  turned  pale. 

"  Do  you  know  whether  Marian  had  a  letter  from  him 
soon  after  the  holidays  ?  " 

"  Did  he  write  ?  Why,  that  was  romantic !  No — I 
do  not  believe  it  reached  her.  And  if  it  had,  it  couldn't 
have  altered  anything.  Mr.  Greaves  is  very  much  in 
earnest,  and  Marian  will  have  one  of  the  finest  houses 
in  the  county.  Then  he  talks  of  going  to  England  and 
leaving  the  two  older  children  for  their  education.  Some 
cousin  or  uncle  or  relative  died  a  while  ago ;  and  if  some 
one  else  should  die  he  would  come  in  for  a  title  and  a 
fine  estate.  Father  is  quite  elated  over  that.  Father 
should  have  been  born  an  English  aristocrat,"  and  Dolly 
laughed.  "  But  if  I  wasn't  so  in  love  with  Preston  I 
might  be  captured  by  the  young  soldier  or  some  of  the 
beaus  with  which  Washington  abounds.  Oh,  dear!  if 
we  could  have  come  to  the  inauguration !  I'm  glad  to  go 
away,  for  it's  wretchedly  dull  all  about  the  Pineries. 
And  Charleston  is  quite  gay,  Preston  writes." 

The  shopping  was  done,  and  the  gowns  and  coats  and 
pelisses  left  at  Mrs.  Sweeny's,  who  was  quite  celebrated 
for  her  taste. 

Then  Dolly  was  suddenly  summoned  home.  Her 
father  had  a  poorly  spell,  and  Mr.  Greaves  had  met  with 
an  accident.  As  he  was  going  to  mount  his  horse  one 
morning  to  ride  over  to  the  Pineries,  an  owl  that  had 
been  nesting  in  a  tree  near  the  house  made  a  flight  across 
the  lawn,  at  which  the  horse  shied  and  knocked  down  his 
master,  whose  head  struck  the  stepping-stone,  and  he  had 
lain  unconscious  ever  since,  but  no  bones  were  broken. 
They  had  a  hope  that  it  would  not  prove  serious,  since 
Mr.  Greaves  had  an  excellent  constitution  and  had  never 
been  ill  a  day  in  his  life. 


147 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 
CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  THORNS   THAT   BESET   LOVE. 

'"pHE  spring  was  late  this  year,  but  when  it  came  every- 
*  thing  burst  into  bloom  and  beauty  as  if  by  magic. 
Even  the  marshy  ends  of  the  streets  in  Washington  were 
covered  with  verdure  and  the  curious  delicate  bloom  of 
the  different  sedge  growths.  Congress  kept  on.  There 
were  many  perplexing  questions,  and  war  loomed  in  the 
distance. 

The  festivities  at  the  Pineries  were  quite  interrupted. 
When  Mr.  Greaves  recovered  consciousness  it  was  found 
that  his  right  side  had  been  partially  paralyzed.  His 
speech  was  affected,  and  the  doctor  spoke  doubtfully  of 
his  mind. 

Consequently  all  thoughts  of  Marian's  marriage  must 
be  given  up  for  the  present.  But  Dolly's  went  on,  and  the 
last  week  in  April  the  impatient  lover  presented  himself, 
and  the  family  relatives  and  friends  were  gathered  to  cele 
brate  the  occasion.  It  was  considered  most  proper  for 
Louis  Mason  to  attend  Marian,  who  was  to  be  the  first 
bridesmaid.  Jaqueline  was  next  in  order,  and  there  were 
three  others.  Weddings  were  quite  sumptuous  affairs  in 
those  days.  There  was  a  great  supper  and  dancing;  one 
of  the  bride-cakes  held  a  ring,  put  in  by  the  hand  of  the 
bride-elect,  and  great  was  the  interest  to  see  who  would 
get  it.  This  fell  to  Jaqueline.  And  when  the  bride  was 
escorted  upstairs  by  her  bevy  of  maidens  she  paused  on 
the  landing  and  scattered  her  half-dozen  roses  which  had 
been  sent  from  Washington,  and  cost  extravagantly.  The 
first  one  did  not  go  far,  and  caught  in  Jaqueline's  shoul 
der-knot.  There  was  a  general  laughing  exclamation. 

"  And  I  haven't  even  a  lover ! "  cried  the  girl  with 
dainty  mock  regret. 


THE  THORNS  THAT  BESET  LOVE. 

There  was  a  grand  breakfast  the  next  morning — a  real 
breakfast,  not  a  noon  luncheon.  Many  of  the  guests  had 
remained  all  night.  Mirth  and  jollity  reigned,  good- 
wishes  were  given,  healths  were  drunk,  and  at  noon  the 
young  couple  started  on  their  long  stage-coach  journey. 
Tours  were  hardly  considered  then,  though  the  bride 
often  journeyed  to  the  house  of  her  husband's  nearest 
relatives.  But  to  take  in  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia 
was  enough  to  set  one  up  for  life,  and  Dolly  was  very 
much  elated.  The  return  trip  would  be  made  by  water, 
so  she  would  be  quite  a  traveled  bride. 

Marian  had  been  the  sedate  elder  sister.  She  was  not 
old,  but  she  had  grown  much  older  and  lost  the  aspect  of 
girlhood  that  she  had  kept  her  three-and-twenty  years. 
There  was  much  kindly  sympathy  expressed  for  her. 
Mr.  Greaves  grew  more  helpless  instead  of  improving, 
and  his  mind  had  never  been  quite  clear. 

But  no  one  suggested  an  interrupted  engagement  ex 
cept  among  the  slaves,  who  recalled  that  she  had  put  out 
her  candle  on  Christmas  Eve,  and  the  ring  in  the  cake  had 
not  come  to  her,  nor  a  single  rose. 

"  Looks  laik  she  cut  out  fer  'n  ole  maid,"  declared  a 
gray-haired  mammy.  "  En  she  mought  'a'  bin  a  gret 
lady,  goin'  ober  to  de  ole  country.  But  young  missy  goin' 
to  be  happy  as  de  day  is  long.  De  house  '11  never  seem  de 
same." 

"  Grandfather  Floyd  has  begun  to  break,"  said  Mr. 
Mason  when  they  had  started  on  their  homeward  journey. 
"  One  can  hardly  decide  whether  to  be  glad  or  sorry  about 
Marian.  Anyway,  it  is  hard  on  the  poor  girl." 

"  And  you  can't  decide  whether  she  is  sorry  or  not. 
I  never  saw  anyone  change  so.  She  has  grown  curiously 
close  about  herself,"  declared  Jaqueline. 

The  interrupted  intimacy  between  the  two  families  was 
taken  up  again.  Even  Jane  and  her  three  children  were 

149 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

invited  to  the  Pineries  for  a  hot  month  in  the  summer. 
Grandfather  was  quite  deaf,  which  made  him  more  irri 
table,  and  Marian  played  piquet  with  him  for  hours  to 
gether.  Mrs.  Floyd  managed  the  plantation,  though  she 
had  always  taken  her  share  of  that. 

Patricia  came  home  a  slim,  pretty,  and  piquant  young 
woman,  refined  and  finished,  and  Louis  was  an  attractive 
young  collegian.  The  house  was  filled  with  guests,  and 
there  was  much  merriment,  until  one  day  the  word  came 
that  surprised  them  all.  Grandfather  had  been  found 
dead  in  his  chair  on  the  porch  where  he  took  his  usual 
afternoon  nap. 

Family  funerals  were  almost  as  grand  occasions  as  mar 
riages  at  this  period.  The  great  house  was  filled  with 
guests,  and  there  was  no  unseemly  haste  to  bury  the  dead 
out  of  their  sight.  The  funeral  procession  might  have 
been  that  of  a  famous  man.  When  they  returned  the 
relatives  were  gathered  in  the  darkened  parlor  where  the 
candles  stood  lighted  on  a  table,  and  Archibald  Floyd's 
will  was  read  in  a  dry,  decorous  tone  by  the  little  old  law 
yer  who  had  made  wills  for  half  a  century. 

As  was  expected,  the  Pineries  and  slaves  and  appurte 
nances  of  all  kinds  went  to  Brandon,  who  was  the  only 
son.  The  girls  had  an  equal  money  portion.  The  widow 
was  provided  with  a  home;  certain  rooms  were  set  apart 
for  her,  certain  slaves  were  bequeathed  to  her  with  the  bed 
and  table  linen  and  some  of  the  furnishings  that  she  had 
brought  with  her ;  and  Brandon  was  to  pay  her  a  regular 
income  out  of  the  estate,  which  was  to  cease  at  her  death. 
A  very  fair  and  just  will,  it  was  agreed  on  every  side. 

Meanwhile  there  had  been  no  perceptible  change  in  Mr. 
Greaves.  He  did  not  suffer  much ;  he  was  fed  and  cared 
for  like  a  child.  Some  days  he  brightened  and  talked 
with  encouraging  coherence,  but  it  was  mostly  about  his 
early  life,  and  he  now  and  then  mistook  his  sister  for  his 

150 


THE  THORNS  THAT  BESET  LOVE. 

dead  wife.  And  though  Marian  had  gone  over  several 
times,  he  had  not  seemed  to  recall  her  specially. 

Miss  Greaves  was  in  her  element.  She  had  not  taken 
kindly  to  the  prospect  of  being  deposed,  though  the 
training  of  women  in  her  day  led  them  to  accept  the  in 
evitable  without  complaining.  She  was  rather  proud, 
too,  that  her  brother  had  won  a  young  woman ;  and  Mari 
an's  sudden  gravity  after  her  engagement  had  given  her 
considerable  satisfaction. 

"  The  doctor  holds  out  very  little  hope  of  perfect  re 
covery,"  she  said  to  the  younger  woman  at  one  call. 
"  He  thinks  brother's  mind  will  never  be  quite  right 
again.  He  has  a  good  appetite  now  and  sleeps  well,  but 
it  is  very  sad  to  be  stricken  down  in  the  very  prime  of 
life.  On  our  mother's  side  we  are  a  long-lived  race.  I 
had  an  aunt  who  lay  paralyzed  for  seven  years,  and  was 
eighty  when  she  died." 

Marian  shuddered.  Her  father's  failing  health  had 
demanded  most  of  her  attention.  Was  she  in  any  way 
relieved?  She  tried  not  to  think  of  it.  No  one  referred 
to  the  marriage,  except  now  and  then  some  of  the  slaves, 
who  counted  up  all  the  bad  signs  in  an  awesome  fashion. 

Dolly  had  enjoyed  everything  to  the  uttermost,  and 
was  delighted  with  her  new  home  and  her  new  relatives. 
Communication  between  even  the  most  important  cities 
was  tardy  at  that  time,  and  often  sent  by  private  messen 
ger.  Yet  the  political  interest  of  the  States  was  kept  up 
keenly,  almost  to  rivalry.  New  England,  whose  com 
merce  had  been  injured  the  most,  complained  loudly. 
The  States  were  between  two  fires.  England  was  bring 
ing  all  her  power  to  bear  upon  the  Emperor  Napoleon. 
Neither  country  paid  any  attention  to  the  rights  of  neu 
trals.  There  was  the  old  romantic  remembrance  of 
France  coming  to  our  assistance  in  our  mighty  struggle 
with  the  mother  country ;  but  there  were  a  hundred  rela- 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

tionships  with  England  where  there  was  one  with  France, 
and  Napoleon's  ruthlessness  had  alienated  the  noblest 
sense  of  the  community. 

Yet  living  went  on  in  the  lavish,  cordial  Virginian  fash 
ion  at  the  old  plantation,  if  it  was  not  quite  so  full  of  gay- 
ety.  There  were  two  attractive  young  women  now,  and 
the  young  men  were  haunting  the  house,  planning  riding 
parties  and  a  day's  outing  to  some  grove  or  wood,  a  sail 
down  or  up  the  Potomac,  and  a  three-days'  visit  to  some 
neighbor  who  rather  regretfully  gave  up  dancing  on  ac 
count  of  the  recent  death.  Louis  had  been  putting  in  law 
with  his  other  studies,  and  was  not  to  graduate  for 
another  year. 

Roger  Carrington  was  now  a  steady  visitor,  and  all  the 
household  knew  he  was  young  missy's  lover.  Her  father's 
assent  had  been  cordially  given.  Her  own  was  still  in 
abeyance.  Jaqueline  had  a  willful  streak  in  her  nature. 
If  someone  had  opposed,  she  would  have  sided  at  once 
with  her  lover.  But  everybody  agreed.  Mrs.  Carrington 
treated  her  as  a  daughter  already,  and  longed  to  have  the 
engagement  announced.  Roger  pleaded. 

"  I  want  to  be  quite  sure  that  I  love  you  better  than 
anybody,"  she  would  say  with  a  kind  of  dainty  sweetness. 
"  If  one  should  make  a  mistake !  " 

"  But  we  are  such  friends  already.  We  have  been  for  a 
long  time.  Surely  if  you  disliked  me  you  would  have 
found  it  out  before  this." 

"  But  I  don't  dislike  you.  I  like  you  very  much.  Only 
it  seems  that  things  which  come  so  easy " 

She  let  her  lovely  eyes  droop,  and  the  color  came  and 
went  in  her  face.  How  exquisite  her  rose-leaf  cheeks 
were!  He  wished  he  had  the  right  to  kiss  them  fifty 
times  an  hour.  A  husband  would  have.  But  there  was  a 
fine  courtesy  between  lovers  of  that  day.  And  there  was 
always  some  curling  tendril  of  shadowy  hair  clustering 

152 


THE  THORNS  THAT  BESET  LOVE. 

about  her  fair  temples.  Her  ear,  too,  was  like  a  bit  of 
sculpture,  and  the  lines  that  went  down  her  neck  and  lost 
themselves  in  the  roundness  of  her  shoulders  changed 
with  every  motion,  each  one  prettier  than  the  last,  and 
were  distractingly  tempting. 

"  I'm  sure  it  doesn't  come  easy  to  me,"  he  said  in  a 
rather  curt  tone. 

"  Oh,  doesn't  it  ?  I  thought  there  really  was  no  mistak 
ing  the  grand  passion  on  a  man's  part — that  he  was  con 
vinced  in  the  flash  of  an  eye." 

"  It  is  when  he  wishes  to  convince  that  his  doubt 
arises.  If  I  could  persuade  you "  longingly. 

"  I  am  always  afraid  I  shall  be  too  easily  persuaded," 
she  returned  plaintively.  "  I  sometimes  wonder  if  I  really 
have  a  good  strong  mind  of  my  own.  Do  you  know,  I 
should  like  to  be  one  of  the  heroic  women;  then  in  case 
war  should  come — there  are  such  talks  about  it,  you  know 
— and  I  had  to  send  you  away " 

She  looked  so  utterly  bewitching  that  he  had  much  ado 
not  to  clasp  her  to  his  heart. 

"  You  are  heroic  enough.  And  you  are  tormenting  to 
the  last  degree.  I  wonder  sometimes  if  you  even  like 
me!" 

"  Oh,  you  know  I  like  you,"  carelessly. 

"  If  you  would  once  say  '  I  love  you.'  You  like  so 
many  people — young  men,  I  mean." 

"  Why,  when  you  have  been  brought  up  with  them,  so 

to  speak "  and  she  looked  up  out  of  large,  innocent 

eyes.  "  There  are  the  Bakers,  you  know.  Georgie,  Rob, 
Teddy,  and  I  have  played  together  always.  Would  you 
have  me  turn  haughty  now  ?  " 

"  I  don't  mind  the  Bakers,  and  Teddy  is  as  good  as  en 
gaged  to  Hester  Fairfax,  who  really  does  adore  him." 

"  Yes,  I  think  she  does,"  gravely.  "  He  is  always  de 
scribing  her  perfections  and  her  sweetnesses,  as  if  we 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

hadn't  quarreled  and  declared  we  wouldn't  speak  to  each 
other  and  done  little  spiteful  tricks  that  girls  always  do, 
and — and  gotten  over  it,  and  know  all  about  each  other." 

"  I  don't  believe  you  were  ever  very  spiteful.  That 
takes  a  small  nature." 

She  looked  furtively  from  under  her  long  lashes,  as  if 
considering. 

"  Well — Patty  and  I  quarrel.  You  must  know  that  I 
haven't  the  most  amiable  temper  in  the  world  when  I  am 
roused." 

"  Yes."    She  could  be  very  tormenting. 

"  And  I  like  to  have  my  own  way.  Papa  generally 
gives  in.  And  sometimes  I  feel  self-condemned  that 
mamma  is  so  good  to  me." 

"  Then  you  have  a  conscience  ?  " 

"  I  don't  believe  my  own  mother  would  have  been  so 
easy.  And  there's  grandmamma " 

"  Who  would  have  led  you  to  find  out  your  mind  in 
short  order,"  he  commented  quickly. 

"Her  mind,  you  mean.  And  if  she  had  resolved  that 
I  shouldn't  marry  you,  you  would  have  been  sent  to  the 
right-about  at  once.  And  that  reminds  me — Lieutenant 
Ralston  is  coming  down  next  week.  But  I  suppose  you 
are  not  afraid  of  him,  since  his  heart  is — oh,  can  you 
tell  where  it  is?  Sometimes  I  think  he  still  cares  for 
Marian,  and  then  he  is  so  bitter  and  sharp.  She  won't 
ever  marry  Mr.  Greaves  now." 

She  looked  so  eager  and  earnest,  as  if  this  was  the  main 
question  of  her  life.  He  turned  away  with  a  pang  at  his 
heart.  Was  she  anything  but  a  volatile,  teasing  girl,  with 
no  deep  feelings? 

"  You  shan't !  I  say  you  shan't !  Annis  belongs  to  me. 
You  shan't  take  her  away.  We're  going  to  row  round 
the  pond " 

Louis  laughed  with  a  soft  sound  of  triumph. 


THE  THORNS  THAT  BESET  LOVE. 

"  But  you  promised  to  ride  with  me,  didn't  you,  Annis  ? 
And  I  don't  see  how  Annis  belongs  to  you  especially. 
You're  too  old  for  that  boyish  foolishness.  Why,  you 
couldn't  marry  her  in  years  and  years,  and  then  she'd  be 
an  old  woman,  queer  and  cross.  Hillo !  "  in  a  surprised 
tone. 

They  faced  Mr.  Carrington  and  Jaqueline. 

"  Oh,  Louis,  why  do  you  tease  the  children  so  ?  "  ex 
claimed  Jaqueline  in  disapprobation. 

"  I'm  not  teasing  you,  Annis,  am  I  ?  We  were  to  go 
for  a  ride,  and  her  pony  is  all  ready,  when  Charles  flew 
into  a  passion." 

"  I  told  you  Scipio  was  getting  the  boat  ready " 

"  But  I  didn't  think  you  meant  to-day.  You  said  it 
leaked  and  had  to  be  repaired,  and  this  morning " 

She  glanced  up  at  Louis  entreatingly. 

"  This  morning  I  told  her  we  would  go  down  to  the 
creek  and  see  the  great  flock  of  ducks  Julius  has  been 
raising.  Annis  belongs  as  much  to  me  as  to  you.  She 
belongs  to  us  all.  And  how  do  you  know  but  that  I'll 
marry  her  myself?  I'm  very  fond  of  Annis.  And  I'm 
grown  up.  In  a  few  years  I  may  be  a  judge,  or  be  sent 
abroad  to  smooth  out  some  quarrel  or  make  a  treaty, 
while  you  will  be  in  school  studying  your  Cicero.  Annis 
will  be  a  big  girl,  old  enough  to  marry.  And  you  like  me, 
don't  you,  Annis  ?  " 

He  had  his  arm  around  the  child.  He  had  been  very 
sweet  to  her  of  late,  partly  to  tease  Varina,  and  partly  be 
cause  she  interested  him  curiously.  She  said  such  quaint 
things;  she  could  seem  to  understand  almost  everything. 
And  when  he  declaimed  a  fine  Latin  poem  with  vigor  and 
loftiness,  her  eyes  would  follow  him,  her  face  would  glow 
and  change  with  emotion  and  appreciation.  Then  he  had 
been  teaching  her  some  pretty  songs. 

"  I  like  you  both,"  she  returned  in  a  tender,  entreating 
i55 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

voice,  as  if  begging  each  one  to  be  content  with  the  re 
gard.  Yet  she  made  no  motion  to  leave  him,  and  both 
slim  hands  were  clasped  around  the  young  man's  arm. 

"  But  you  must  like  me  the  best,"  and  now  he  put  his 
arm  about  her,  drawing  her  closer  to  his  side.  "  It's  this 
way.  First  your  mother — always;  then  father,  who  is 
very  fond  of  you,  little  Annis;  then  me,  then  Jaqueline, 
and  you  see  Charles  stands  way  down  at  the  bottom  of 
the  line.  Of  course  you  can't  love  him  quite  so  much ;  it 
wouldn't  be  fair  to  the  rest  of  us." 

Annis  looked  perplexed  with  the  reasoning.  She 
glanced  at  Charles,  then  hid  her  face  in  the  elder  brother's 
coat.  He  made  a  rush  at  her,  but  Louis  caught  him  and 
held  him  off  at  arm's  length. 

"  You're  a  mean — mean  skunk,  that's  what  you  are !  " 
The  boy's  face  was  scarlet  with  passion,  and  his  voice 
choked.  "  She  won't  love  you  best,  will  you,  Annis  ?  For 
he  likes  all  the  girls,  the  big  ladies,  and  I  don't  care  for 
anyone  but  just  you." 

"  Louis,  do  stop !  You  ought  to  be  ashamed. 
Charles " 

But  Louis  let  go  of  his  little  brother's  arm,  who  ran  a 
few  steps  with  the  impetus  and  then  tumbled  over.  Louis 
caught  the  little  girl  in  both  arms, — she  was  slim  and 
light, — and  ran  swiftly  with  her.  Jaqueline  picked  up 
Charles,  who  was  crying  now  in  a  passion  of  anger,  ex 
claiming  between  the  sobs : 

"I  just  hate  him,  I  do!  He  shan't  take  away  Annis. 
She  belongs  to  me." 

"  Charles,  don't  be  so  foolish.  You  can't  have  Annis 
every  hour  in  the  day,  and  if  you  go  on  this  way  she'll 
just  hate  you.  Why,  I  am  ashamed  of  you !  And  here  is 
Mr.  Carrington." 

"  I  don't  care.  I  made  Scip  mend  the  boat,  'n'  he  said 
Dixon  would  be  awful  mad  and  maybe  have  him  flogged. 

156 


THE  THORNS  THAT  BESET  LOVE. 

Where's  father?  I'll  go  and  tell  him  how  it  was,  and 
Scip  may  tear  the  old  boat  to  pieces,  but  he  shan't  be 
flogged.  Louis  thinks  he's  great  shakes  because  he's 
older  and  bigger " 

"  But  he  will  be  married  before  you  and  Annis  are 
grown  up,  so  don't  worry.  He  loves  to  tease  you.  Now 
go  and  find  father." 

"  He  is  taking  love  early  and  hard,"  said  Mr.  Carring- 
ton. 

"  It's  such  ridiculous  nonsense !  Mamma  doesn't  like 
it  a  bit,  but  father  thinks  it  a  good  joke.  It  makes 
Charles  appear  silly.  But  he  will  go  away  to  school  and 
have  new  interests.  And  in  a  few  years  Annis  won't 
want  to  be  claimed  in  that  masterful  fashion." 

They  walked  along  silently.  Mr.  Mason  sat  out  under 
a  great  tree,  smoking  his  pipe  and  listening  to  Charles. 

"  Let  them  finish  their  confidence.  I'll  take  the  ham 
mock,  and  you  may  read  to  me."  She  did  not  want  to 
discuss  love  any  more  just  now. 

Annis  was  borne  triumphantly  to  her  pony.  Louis 
placed  her  in  the  saddle. 

"You  do  love  me,  little  Annis,  do  you  not?"  and  he 
kissed  her  tenderly.  He  had  a  very  sweet  way  that  you 
could  not  gainsay  when  it  was  turned  upon  you,  and  a 
child  certainly  could  not  resist.  "  Now  we  will  have  a 
nice  gallop,  and  then  a  rest  down  by  the  creek  where  it 
is  shady,  ever  so  much  nicer  than  the  sunny  pond  and  the 
old  boat.  You  know  I  asked  you  first." 

"  I  didn't  think  Charles  meant  this  very  afternoon," 
she  said  regretfully.  "  And  I'm  so  sorry  he " 

"  Never  mind  about  a  boy's  temper.  Look  at  that  fire 
bird — isn't  he  gorgeous?  There's  where  the  lightning 
struck  that  great  pine  tree  the  other  night  and  split  it 
in  two." 

"  Oh,  poor  tree !  Do  you  suppose  it  hurt  very  much ! 

i57 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

And  the  half  stands  up  as  if  nothing  could  ever  make  it 
afraid.  There  are  the  branches  all  withering  on  the 
ground.  Were  you  very  much  frightened  ?  It  kills  peo 
ple  sometimes,  doesn't  it  ?  " 

"  Very  seldom.  And  a  great  many  things  kill  them. 
Accidents  and  falls,  and  sickness,  so  the  few  struck  by 
lightning  are  hardly  to  be  taken  into  account." 

"  Oh,  look  at  the  great  field  of  corn !     It  is  like  a  sea." 

The  tassels  had  turned  yellow,  and  the  wind  stirred 
them,  making  golden  waves. 

"  What  do  you  know  about  the  sea  ?  " 

"  Why,  when  we  went  down  the  Potomac.  You  were 
not  home." 

"  I've  been  down  there  though,  and  out  on  the  ocean." 

"  Would  you  be  afraid  to  go  to  England  ?  " 

"  Not  of  the  ocean,  but  I  might  be  of  the  privateers. 
And  I  should  not  want  to  be  caught  and  impressed,  and 
made  to  fight.  But  I  mustn't  fill  my  little  lady-love  with 
frightful  subjects." 

The  child's  cheek  warmed  with  a  dainty  color.  Could 
anyone  be  a  lady-love  to  two  persons?  That  was  what 
Charles  called  her. 

Squirrels  were  scurrying  here  and  there.  The  golden- 
rod  was  nodding  on  tall  stalks,  and  some  asters  starred 
the  wayside.  Afar  was  a  broad  stretch  of  tobacco  fields 
in  their  peculiar  deep-green  luxuriance.  Birds  were 
calling  to  each  other,  insects  were  droning,  the  monotony 
broken  by  a  shrill  chirr  as  a  grasshopper  leaped  up  from 
the  path  or  a  locust  predicted  a  hot  to-morrow  from  his 
leafy  covert.  They  crossed  broad  sunny  patches  that 
looked  like  a  dried-up  sea,  they  lingered  under  fragrant 
pines  and  great  oaks  and  maples  that  shaded  the  road, 
and  Annis  laughed  at  her  companion's  comments  and 
the  merry  stories  he  told.  She  had  been  used  to  stand 
ing  somewhat  in  awe  of  him,  but  this  summer  he  had  quite 

158 


THE  THORNS  THAT  BESET  LOVE. 

overcome  her  shyness.  Sometimes  she  did  get  a  little 
tired  of  the  knowledge  Charles  poured  into  her  ears. 
Latin  orations  had  not  much  charm  for  her,  in  their  un 
known  tongue,  and  only  the  inflections  of  the  boy's  musi 
cal  voice  rendered  them  tolerable.  She  liked  the  deeds 
of  heroes  rather  than  what  they  said,  and  their  loves 
rather  than  their  fighting  or  their  harangues. 

At  home  Charles  had  thrown  himself  on  the  half-dried 
turf  and  given  way  to  another  burst  of  passion  such  as 
seldom  moved  him.  That  Louis  should  take  Annis  away 
from  him,  his  chosen  friend  and  companion,  and  that  she 
should  go  without  a  protest!  Was  she  really  liking 
Louis,  who  was  grown  up  and  who  could  have  his  pick  of 
the  pretty  young  women  always  coming  to  the  house. 
Why  should  he  want  Annis  ? 

It  was  the  boy's  first  experience  with  a  rival,  and  as  he 
had  never  dreamed  of  such  an  untoward  event,  he  could 
not  understand  the  pain.  It  was  like  a  storm  that 
had  been  threatening  in  the  southeast  while  the  west  was 
still  clear,  and  now  had  suddenly  blown  up  and  enveloped 
the  whole  sky.  Though  he  was  not  much  given  to  tears, 
or  anger,  for  that  matter,  the  tempest-  surged  over  him 
now,  and  as  it  was  furious  it  was  the  shorter  lived. 

Presently  a  laugh  stung  him,  and  he  raised  his  head, 
but  he  knew  the  sound  of  the  voice. 

"  Do  go  away,  Varina !  "  he  exclaimed  sharply. 

"  Can't  I  walk  where  I  like  ?  When  you  get  a  house 
and  a  plantation  of  your  own,  you  may  order  me  off.  Or 
you  may  even  set  the  dogs  on  me." 

"  Don't  be  so  silly,  so  hateful."  He  was  shocked  at 
her  last  remark,  and  sprang  up,  brushing  off  the  twigs 
and  bits  of  dried  grass. 

"  It  is  you  who  are  silly,  making  a  dunce  of  yourself 
over  Annis.  Of  course  she  cares  for  you  when  there 
is  no  one  else  by.  That's  just  the  way  with  girls.  Look 

159 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

at  Jaqueline.  When  Mr.  Tayloe  or  Mr.  Bedford  are 
here  she's  sweet  to  them,  then  comes  the  lieutenant  and 
she  sends  the  others  to  the  right-about-face,  then  he  goes 
and  it's  all  Mr.  Carrington.  When  he  is  gone  she  will 
take  up  with  Mr.  Bedford.  I  like  him.  He's  so  funny 
and  sings  such  splendid  songs." 

Charles  was  standing  up  very  straight.  Indeed,  he 
seemed  to  stretch  out  his  slim  figure,  and  the  gravity  of 
his  face  had  scarcely  a  boyish  line  in  it. 

"  Do  you  mean  that  Jaqueline  doesn't  care  for  any  of 
them?  Patty  said  she  was  as  good  as  engaged  to  Mr. 
Carrington,  and  that  we  could  have  a  nicer  wedding  than 
Dolly  Floyd's." 

Varina  shrugged  her  shoulders.  There  was  always  an 
eerie  flavor  about  the  child's  strictures.  "  She  cares  for 
them  all  when  they  are  here.  Oh,  gracious!  Suppose 
they  should  all  come  together !  "  and  she  laughed.  "  But 
she'd  rather  take  them  one  by  one,  and  have  a  good  time. 
That's  the  way  I  mean  to  do.  You  have  more  good 
times." 

"  Annis  isn't  a  bit  like  you !  "  the  boy  flung  out  hotly. 
He  could  not  understand;  it  had  not  come  time  for  an 
alysis  or  fine  gradations;  he  only* suffered,  without  the 
power  of  reasoning. 

"  Annis  is  a  girl ;  and  girls  are  all  alike.  And  there's 
Mr.  Carrington  alone.  I  wonder  if  Jacky's  been  cross 
to  him.  I  shall  go  and  walk  with  him." 

She  ran  down  the  little  side  path.  Mr.  Carrington  had 
started  with  the  intention  of  finding  Charles  and  comfort 
ing  him,  for  it  had  been  with  him  as  Varina  surmised, 
but  the  talk  between  them  had  arrested  him.  Was  it 
true  that  a  girl  found  pleasure  in  variety  rather  than 
constancy?  He  was  amused  at  Varina's  wisdom,  and 
yet  it  had  in  it  a  savor  of  sad  truth.  Annis'  little  win 
some  face  as  Louis  caught  her  came  back  to  him. 

160 


A   TALK   OF    WEDDINGS. 

"  The  Sabine  women  learned  to  love  their  husbands," 
he  mused,  when  Varina  called  to  him.  He  had  to  ex 
ercise  some  ingenuity  to  parry  the  child's  curiosity,  since 
he  was  by  far  too  gentlemanly  to  take  advantage  of  it. 

Charles  was  a  little  sullen  that  evening,  and  took  no 
notice  of  the  timid  little  olive  branch  Annis  held  out. 
Presently,  warm  as  the  night  was,  he  went  off  to  his 
books. 

"  Louis,  you  tease  him  too  much,"  said  his  father. 

"  It's  high  time  someone  took  him  in  hand.  He  is  get 
ting  to  be  a  regular  little  prig !  You  ought  to  send  him 
away  to  school." 

"  He  doesn't  seem  quite  the  boy  for  that.  We'll  see  as 
he  gets  older.  But  I  won't  have  any  quarreling  about 
Annis.  Annis  belongs  to  me,  don't  you,  little  girl  ?  And 
we'll  marry  off  all  the  rest  of  them,  and  you  and  I  and 
mother  will  live  together  the  remainder  of  our  lives," 
kissing  her  with  tenderness. 

When  they  all  went  away — and  she  loved  them  all — how 
lonesome  it  would  be! 

CHAPTER   XII. 

A  TALK  OF  WEDDINGS. 

'"yOU  must  decide  and  answer  me,  Jaqueline.  You 
know  I  love  you.  The  marriage  would  be  pleasing 
to  both  sides  of  the  family.  My  holiday  is  over,  and  I 
must  rejoin  my  chief.  I  want  the  matter  settled.  If  you 
are  not  convinced  that  you  can  love  me,  I  shall  take  it 
as  a  sign  that  there  is  very  little  hope  for  me — none  at  all, 
in  fact — and  go  my  way." 

There  was  something  rather  stern  in  the  tone,  and  the 
pretty  girl's  humor  protested.  She  liked  the  tender  woo 
ing,  the  graceful  compliments,  the  sort  of  uncertainty 

161 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

when  she  could  salve  her  conscience  by  saying  she  was 
not  really  engaged  and  feel  compelled  to  hold  herself  aloof 
from  certain  attentions.  For  whatever  coquetries  a  Vir 
ginia  girl  might  indulge  in,  an  engagement  was  sacred. 

"  I  do  wonder  if  you  really  love  me?  "  She  longed  to 
temporize.  There  was  always  something  happening, 
and  now  there  was  to  be  a  week's  party  at  Annapolis  and 
a  ball  and  several  sailing  excursions.  Business  would 
interfere  with  his  going.  If  she  could  keep  free  until 
after  that! 

He  looked  at  her  steadily.  "  If  you  doubt  it  after  my 
year  of  devotion,  I  hardly  know  how  to  convince  you. 
Words  will  not  do  it.  You  must  believe  it." 

"  For  it  would  be  a  sad  thing  for  either  of  us  to  make 
a  mistake,"  she  returned  plaintively. 

"  You  asked  for  three  months  to  consider.  And  yet 
you  admitted  that  you  cared  for  me  even  then.  If  your 
love  has  not  increased  any  in  that  time  it  certainly  argues 
ill  for  me.  And  now  it  must  be  a  plain  answer,  yes  or 
no.  It  is  foolish  to  trifle  this  way.  Which  is  it,  Jaque- 
line?" 

He  took  both  her  hands  in  his  and  impelled  her  to  meet 
his  eyes.  Her  face  was  scarlet,  her  eyes  drooped,  her 
expression  was  so  beseeching  that  it  almost  conquered 
him  as  it  had  times  before.  But  he  was  going  away 
with  Mr.  Monroe,  and  it  would  be  a  month  before  he  saw 
her  again. 

"Yes  or  no!" 

"  You  are  cruel."  Her  eyes  filled  with  tears.  She 
felt  his  hands  tremble,  strong  as  they  were. 

"  Then  it  must  be  no,  if  you  cannot  say  yes.  Jaque- 
line,  I  am  more  than  sorry.  You  are  the  first  girl  that 
ever  roused  in  me  the  sweet  desire  to  have  her  for  my 
very  own.  I  may  never  find  another  to  whom  I  can  give 
the  same  regard.  But  I  want  no  unwilling  bride." 

162 


A   TALK   OF   WEDDINGS. 

He  dropped  the  hands  reluctantly.  He  half  turned,  as 
if  that  was  final. 

"  Roger " 

She  so  often  evaded  his  name.  What  an  entrancing 
sound  it  had!  And  it  softened  him. 

"  You  are  so  masterful,"  and  her  voice  had  a  little 
break  in  it.  "  I  am  afraid  I  could  not  be  a  meek,  silly 
wife  with  no  mind  of  her  own,  but  a  mocking-bird 
echo  of  her  husband's.  When  I  feel  quite  sure  I  love 
you " 

"  Is  there  any  such  blessed  moment  ?  "  He  took  her 
in  his  arms.  "  I  have  sometimes  felt  in  my  inmost  soul 
there  was,  and  this  certainly  pays  for  hours  of  doubt.  I 
do  not  care  to  have  you  meek;  and  silly  women  I  abhor. 
I  only  want  this  one  point  settled.  After  that  you  will 
find  me  devoted  to  your  slightest  whims." 

"  Then  I  suppose  I  must "  with  a  fascinating  re 
luctance. 

"  There  is  no  compulsion.  You  either  give  me  your 
sweet,  fresh  girl's  soul  to  bloom  in  the  garden  of  man 
hood's  unalterable  love,  freely  and  rejoicingly,  or  I  go 
my  solitary  way." 

"  Do  not  go.  I  could  not  spare  you.  Are  you  quite 
sure  you  will  not  prove  a  tyrant?" 

For  answer  he  kissed  her,  then  held  her  in  a  gentle  yet 
strong  embrace. 

"  And  you  love  me  ?  " 

"  Oh,  how  hard  you  are  to  satisfy !  " 

"Still,  you  will  say  it?" 

"  I  love  you.  Will  that  satisfy  your  lordship  ?  Now  if 
I  were  a  princess  you  could  not  be  so  hard  to  satisfy.  A 
nod  would  answer." 

"  You  are  my  princess.  Now  let  us  go  and  find  your 
father.  I  am  afraid  he  has  had  a  rather  low  opinion  of 
my  powers  of  persuasion." 

163 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

They  were  under  the  great  plane  tree.  Annis  was 
taking  a  lesson  in  hemstitching  at  her  mother's 
knee. 

"  We  have  come  for  your  blessing,"  began  the  happy 
lover. 

"  Which  I  give  gladly.  I  could  not  have  chosen  bet 
ter  for  Jaqueline  if  I  had  gone  half  over  the  world,  or 
at  least  a  son-in-law  more  acceptable  to  myself.  If  I 
wish  you  as  much  happiness  as  I  have  had,  your  cup  will 
be  full." 

Mrs.  Mason  rose  and  kissed  the  girl  with  fervent  af 
fection.  "  We  all  like  him  so,"  she  whispered  to  Jaque 
line.  "  Your  father  will  be  as  happy  as  your  lover." 

"  Come  and  give  us  joy,  little  Annis.  I  hope  Charles 
won't  protest  at  your  having  a  new  brother." 

"  But  he  likes  you  so,"  answered  the  child  simply. 
"  And  you  never  tease  him." 

"  Charles  must  learn  not  to  be  such  a  ninny,"  declared 
his  father. 

The  supper  was  almost  a  betrothal  feast.  For  a  won 
der,  there  were  no  guests.  But  before  bedtime  every 
slave  on  the  plantation  knew  it,  and  great  was  the  re 
joicing.  And  the  next  morning  numerous  little  gifts 
were  brought  for  Jaqueline's  acceptance.  And  now 
Roger  hated  to  go  away.  How  could  he  be  content  with 
this  one  brief  sup  of  happiness? 

"  We  must  go  up  to  the  Pineries,"  Mr.  Mason  said. 
"  Your  grandmother  would  feel  hurt  if  she  were  not  in 
formed  at  once.  And — are  you  going  next  week  ?  " 

"  Oh,  of  course.  I  even  asked  Mr.  Carrington.  Was 
not  that  dutiful  ?  " 

Her  father  laughed.  "  Jaqueline,  you  need  a  strong 
hand.  You  have  had  your  way  too  much." 

"  I  don't  know  why  everyone  thinks  I  ought  to  be 
ruled  like  a  baby,"  she  pouted. 

164 


A   TALK   OF   WEDDINGS. 

"  Jack,  you  are  going  to  have  one  of  the  best  hus 
bands.  Remember  that." 

It  was  not  until  afternoon  that  they  started,  and  were 
to  remain  all  night.  As  there  was  room  for  one  more, 
Annis  went  with  them.  It  hardly  seemed  like  the  same 
place,  Jaqueline  thought,  and  she  decided  she  liked  grand 
papa  much  better  than  Uncle  Brandon.  He  insisted  upon 
the  relationship  having  the  right  name,  and  was  quite  as 
great  a  stickler  for  attention  as  his  father  had  been; 
but  where  Mr.  Floyd's  was  really  a  fine  old-fashioned 
dignity,  Brandon's  seemed  more  pretentious. 

His  wife  was  one  of  the  ordinary  women  of  that  day, 
whose  duty  under  all  circumstances  was  to  her  husband. 
Master  Archie  put  on  many  consequential  airs. 

"  I  am  glad  you  are  going  to  do  so  well,"  said  grand 
mother.  "  The  Carringtons  are  a  good  family,  and  their 
father  left  a  nice  property,  which  must  be  very  valuable. 
I  must  look  among  my  treasures  and  see  what  I  can  spare 
for  you.  Dolly  had  my  rubies — they  were  her  choice; 
and  my  pearls  were  for  Marian.  That  was  a  sad  and 
sore  disappointment  to  us  all.  There  seems  very  little 
hope  of  amendment  in  the  case." 

Jaqueline  and  Marian  walked  up  and  down  in  the  fra 
grant  twilight. 

"  You  don't  mean  that  you  still  consider  yourself  en 
gaged  ?  "  queried  the  young  girl  in  surprise. 

"  But  nothing  has  been  said,  and  I  don't  know  what 
can  be  said  now.  You  see,  papa  made  his  will  quite  a 
long  while  ago,  and  when  there  was  the  talk  about  Lieu 
tenant  Ralston  he  said  if  I  encouraged  him — if  I  married 
against  his  wishes — he  would  not  leave  me  anything,  and 
everybody  should  know  it  was  because  I  had  been  a  dis 
obedient,  ungrateful  child.  Think  of  having  it  read  out 
before  all  the  relatives !  And  you  know  he  did  not  alter 
the  will.  He  gave  Jane  less  because  he  had  given  her 

165 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

part  of  her  portion  on  her  wedding  day.  Jane  had  it 
very  easy,  I  think,  considering  that  Mr.  Jettson  had  no 
fortune  to  speak  of  except  those  Washington  marshes. 
But  Jane's  had  a  nice  time  and  plenty  of  friends.  Only, 
you  see,  now  I  feel  bound  by  the  will.  Papa  trusted  me. 
He  had  a  feeling  that  Mr.  Greaves  might  recover — he  was 
so  strong,  and  had  always  been  well.  But  we  never 
talked  it  over,  for  no  one  really  was  thinking  of  papa's 
death." 

"  Do  you  know,  Marian,  I  consider  you  a  very  fool 
ish  girl — superstitious,  as  well?  No  one  can  expect  you 
to  marry  Mr.  Greaves,"  said  Jaqueline  emphatically. 

"  Of  course  not  now.  But  if  he  should  have  his  mind 
a  little  while  and  give  me  up,  I  should  feel  quite  free, 
you  know." 

"  And  you  mean  to  wait  for  that  ?  "  indignantly. 

"  I  am  not  waiting.  Papa  has  been  dead  such  a  little 
while  that  it  would  be  indecent  to  traverse  his  wishes  at 
once.  And  Mr.  Greaves  loved  me,  he  really  did;  you 
need  not  look  so  incredulous !  Not  like — a  younger  man, 
perhaps,"  making  a  little  halt.  "  He  planned  so  many 
things  for  my  pleasure.  We  were  to  go  to  England.  He 
and  papa  agreed  so  well  on  politics." 

"  And  you  are  an  American  girl !  Please  don't  for 
get  that  grandmother's  father  was  at  the  surrender  of 
Cornwallis,  and  we  are  all  proud  of  it !  He  is  your  an 
cestor,  too.  And  the  Masons  were  all  on  the  side  of  lib 
erty  and  a  country  for  ourselves." 

"  I  think  women  are  not  much  concerned  in  politics," 
she  replied  evasively.  "  But  it  is  pleasanter  to  have  all 
your  people  of  one  belief.  It  does  seem  as  if  the 
Church  should  have  something  to  do  with  the  govern 
ment.  I  don't  understand  it,  but  it  appears  Christian 
and  proper." 

"  After  all,  it  is  the  people  who  make  the  country,  and 

166 


A   TALK   OF  WEDDINGS. 

the  Church  too.  And  it  ought  to  be  what  the  people 
want,  the  majority  of  them." 

Jaqueline's  tone  carried  a  penetrating  conviction,  yet 
Marian  steeled  her  heart  against  it.  The  people  certainly 
were  an  aggregate  of  individuals ;  and  if  everyone  in 
sisted  upon  having  his  own  way,  anarchy  must  ensue. 
But  she  could  not  reason  on  the  subject,  even  in  Jaque 
line's  girlish  fashion.  Argument  was  reprehensible  in 
women. 

"  Then  you  just  mean  to  wait!  "  There  was  an  accent 
of  disappointment  in  Jaqueline's  tone. 

"  There  is  nothing  else  to  do.  I  certainly  must  respect 
papa's  wishes." 

"  You've  changed  so,  Marian." 

"  Remember,  Jaqueline,  I  am  years  older  than  you,"  she 
replied  with  dignity.  "  And  now  I  have  to  be  mother's 
companion.  She  misses  father  very  much.  I'm  glad  to 
have  you  happy,  and  everyone  is  pleased  with  your  en 
gagement.  It  is  a  very  excellent  one." 

"  The  excellence  wouldn't  go  very  far  if  it  did  not  please 
me,"  returned  the  younger  girl.  "  My  happiness  and 
pleasure  are  a  personal  affair,  not  simply  the  satisfaction 
of  others." 

"  I  hope  you  will  be  very  happy,"  reiterated  Marian. 
"  Dolly  is.  Mother  thinks  her  letters  are  quite  frivolous ; 
they  are  all  about  dinners  and  visits  and  parties.  She 
doesn't  go  to  the  very  gay  ones,  but  she  writes  about  them. 
Charleston  must  be  quite  as  fashionable  as  Washington, 
to  judge  from  the  gowns  and  entertainments.  But  Dolly 
is  not  keeping  house,  though  she  has  her  rooms  and  her 
maid." 

Then  the  two  girls  lapsed  into  silence  as  they  walked 
up  and  down.  Jaqueline  was  thinking  that  next  week 
Lieutenant  Ralston  would  be  her  cavalier,  and  she  had 
ardently  wished  to  reawaken  hope  in  his  breast,  in  the 

167 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

place  of  the  disesteem  in  which  he  held  Marian — indeed, 
nearly  all  women ;  though  he  occasionally  said :  "  I  can't 
imagine  you  or  Mrs.  Jettson  doing  such  a  thing !  "  That 
was  really  flattering.  Of  course  she  should  tell  him  of 
her  engagement,  and  they  would  still  be  friends. 

Louis  was  to  be  of  the  party,  and  they  started  off  in 
high  spirits. 

"Jaqueline  ought  to  sober  down  a  little,"  said  her 
father.  "  And  there  is  no  need  of  a  long  engagement. 
The  Carringtons  will  be  anxious  for  the  marriage — 
well,"  laughingly,  "  more  anxious  than  we.  But  I  think 
most  men  are  pleased  when  their  daughters  marry  well. 
And  we  have  four." 

"We  need  not  think  of  the  younger  ones  for  several 
years,"  Mrs.  Mason  said  with  a  smile. 

"  Varina  ought  to  go  to  school  somewhere,  or  to 
Aunt  Catharine.  Patty  improved  wonderfully.  And 
Charles " 

"  I  think  Charles  is  doing  very  well.  Louis  admits 
that  he  studies  beyond  hjs  years.  And  he  seems  to  me 
not  over-robust.  I  would  certainly  wait  another  year." 

Jaqueline  begged  her  brother  to  say  nothing  about  the 
engagement.  It  was  so  recent,  and  she  would  not  be 
married  in  some  time. 

"  You'll  be  flirting  with  everybody." 

"  Oh,  don't  grudge  me  a  week's  pleasure !  After  that 
I  will  be  as  staid  as  any  grandmother." 

"  Carrington  isn't  the  fellow  to  stand  much  nonsense 
when  the  rights  are  all  on  his  side.  I  advise  you  to  be 
careful." 

"Why,  I  am  going  to  be,  even  now.  Of  course  Mr. 
Ralston  is  different  from  the  others.  We  have  been 
friends  so  long." 

Ralston  was  safe  enough,  Louis  thought.  And  one 
couldn't  quite  blame  Jaqueline.  She  did  not  flirt  openly 

168 


A   TALK   OF   WEDDINGS. 

like  Betty  Fairfax;  and  now  Betty  was  devotion  itself 
to  her  lover,  and  she  was  to  be  married  in  the  early 
autumn.  In  fact,  Louis  had  not  felt  satisfied  to  be  so 
entirely  crowded  out  when  he  had  been  one  of  Betty's 
favorites. 

Girls  were  queer,  he  mused.  Then  he  threw  himself  into 
the  round  of  pleasures,  which  in  those  days  were  really 
made  for  enjoyment.  No  one  thought  of  being  bored. 
The  world  was  fresh  and  young,  and  had  not  been 
traversed  by  theories  and  sciences  and  experiences  of 
tired  generations.  Everyone  felt  he  or  she  had  a  right 
to  at  least  one  draught  of  the  nectar  of  youth. 

Lieutenant  Ralston  had  come  with  the  hope  that  Jaque- 
line  would  bring  him  some  message  to  light  the  future. 
Of  course  if  Marian  had  been  married  that  would  have 
been  the  end  of  all  things.  He  had  too  fine  a  sense  of 
honor  to  covet  another  man's  wife.  But  it  seemed  as  if 
Providence  had  intervened.  Mr.  Floyd  was  dead  and 
Mr.  Greaves  out  of  the  lists  by  a  stroke  of  fate.  And 
since  Marian  was  free,  he  was  at  liberty  to  give  his  fancy 
unlimited  play  once  more. 

Jaqueline  was  indignant  that  Marian  had  not  gladly 
grasped  her  liberty,  but  still  hugged  the  chain  of  another's 
selecting.  Perhaps  her  feelings  colored  her  words,  al 
though  she  strove  to  be  fair  and  make  allowance  for  the 
superstitious  reverence  in  which  the  girl  seemed  to  hold 
her  father.  Or  was  it  really  fear? 

"  I  thought  I  had  not  hoped  any,  but  circumstances 
coming  out  this  way  seemed  an  interposition  in  my  be 
half,"  admitted  Mr.  Ralston.  "  And  I  found  it  very  easy 
to  go  back  to  that  delightful  experience.  Even  now  that 
you  have  a  lover,  Miss  Jaqueline,  I  think  you  hardly  un 
derstand  how  a  man  loves  and  how  willing  he  is  to  pick 
up  the  faintest  shred  of  hope  and  dream  that  it  may 
blossom  anew,  or  rather  that  the  bud,  having  been  crushed 

169 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

by  another's  ruthlessness,  has  still  in  it  strength  enough 
to  unfold  in  fragrance  when  nursed  carefully  by  the  man 
who  thinks  no  other  bloom  could  ever  be  so  sweet. 
Perhaps  I  was  a  fool  for  this  second  dream.  I  tried  to 
shut  it  out,  but  it  stole  in  unawares.  She  hasn't  been 
worth  it  all,  nor  any  of  it,  I  see  that  plainly  now." 

"  Poor  Marian !  "  The  love  moved  the  girl  with  in 
finite  pity  for  the  woman  who  had  lost  it  and  was  trying 
to  feed  on  husks. 

"  No,  don't  pity  her ;  she  isn't  worth  it,"  and  his  tone 
was"  bitterly  resentful.  "  I  could  have  overlooked  the 
weakness  that  made  her  yield  to  her  tyrannical  father; 
but  now  when  she  could  be  free,  when  she  knows  there 
awaits  her  the  sacred  welcome  of  love,  it  is  plain  that 
she  does  not  care.  Perhaps  she  is  still  counting  on  a  for 
tune  coming  to  her  as  if  by  a  miracle,  for  she  has  no  great 
deal  of  her  own." 

"  No,  no ;  it  is  not  that,"  protestingly. 

"  It  looks  mightily  like  it." 

"  Marian  has  a  queer  conscience.  You  don't 
know "  Did  she  really  know  Marian  herself? 

"  Well,  we  will  dismiss  her  now.  Perhaps  she  has  a 
high  order  of  constancy  that  will  keep  her  faithful  to 
someone  who  is  helpless  and  cannot  appreciate  it.  She 
may  be  a  too  superior  person  for  me.  That  is  the  end  of 
it.  I  shall  never  mention  her  again.  You  have  been 
very  good  to  find  so  many  excuses  for  her,  and  to  keep 
alive  my  regard.  But  I  cannot  afford  to  lose  your  friend 
ship.  Carrington  won't  grudge  me  that,  I  know." 

Jaqueline  smiled.  She  was  rather  proud  that  he  asked 
her  friendship. 

There  were  belles  who  were  eager  to  gain  his  attention. 
Jaqueline  resolved  to  keep  the  best  of  her  friend  to  her 
self,  and  smiled  a  little  at  the  curiously  obedient  manner 
in  which  he  returned  to  her  when  she  had  sent  him  to 

170 


A   TALK   OF   WEDDINGS. 

dance  with  someone.  She  liked  the  pretty  ordering  about 
of  her  admirers,  the  sense  of  power  at  once  fascinating 
and  dangerous. 

"  I  shall  try  to  get  off  for  a  few  days  and  pay  you  a 
visit,"  Ralston  said.  "  Louis  will  be  going  back  to  col 
lege,  and  next  year  we  shall  have  him  in  Washington. 
And  you  will  be  up  often  this  winter?  Mrs.  Jettson 
seems  deserted  by  both  of  her  sisters.  She  is  so  fond 
of  young  people." 

"  Oh,  yes ;  I  shall  be  up  a  good  deal." 

"  And  the  visit  ?  "  tentatively. 

"  We  shall  be  delighted  to  see  you.  You  will  have  an 
admiring  audience  from  father  down." 

"  Thank  you.  You  can  never  know  what  a  comfort 
you  have  been  to  me.  And  these  few  days  have  quite 
restored  me  to  myself.  Have  I  been  a  very  foolish,  love- 
stricken  swain  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  do  not  think  you  have  been  foolish  at  all !  I 
was  afraid  you  would  grow  hard  and  cynical,  and  I  don't 
like  people  who  are  classing  everybody  in  the  same  cate 
gory  and  looking  on  the  worst  side." 

She  was  very  young,  but  she  had  a  charm  that  touched 
his  heart.  Did  he  half  envy  Roger  Carrington?  But, 
then,  he  would  be  madly  jealous  of  anyone  who  lavished 
her  smiles  in  that  fashion.  One  or  two  choice  friends 
might  be  admissible.  He  was  safe,  for  he  would  never 
be  so  easily  caught  again  by  any  woman.  Friendship 
was  all  he  desired,  and  in  the  years  to  come  she  would  re 
semble  Mrs.  Jettson,  no  doubt,  who  was  very  proud  of  her 
husband,  and  fond  of  him  too.  He  liked  women  who 
were  proud  of  their  husbands.  For  wifely  devotion  had 
not  gone  out  of  fashion. 

There  was  a  gay  and  busy  autumn  for  Jaqueline. 
Betty  Fairfax  had  a  great  wedding  that  befitted  the  old 
mansion  where  she  had  reigned  a  queen  for  more  years 

171 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

than  usually  fell  to  the  lot  of  a  handsome  Virginian  girl. 
She  had  seen  two  younger  sisters  married  and  made  much 
merriment  over  it,  and  now  she  was  going  to  be  the  wife 
of  the  newly  elected  Governor  of  one  of  the  more  southern 
States.  Consequently  there  was  a  grand  time  all 
through  the  county,  and  there  were  six  bridesmaids  to 
wait  upon  my  lady,  one  of  them  being  Jaqueline. 

So  there  was  a  week  to  be  spent  with  Betty,  Miss  Eliza 
beth  Fairfax,  as  she  was  called  now. 

"  And  what  a  shame  your  cousin's  affairs  should  have 
come  to  naught !  "  Betty  declared.  "  To  give  up  a  fine 
young  soldier,  and  then  to  have  her  second  lover  come  to 
grief.  It  is  a  case  of  the  two  stools,  and  one  com 
ing  to  the  floor.  If  I  had  not  heard  of  your  engage 
ment,  Jaqueline,  I  should  have  asked  him  to  stand  with 
you.  If  I  had  known  him  better  I  should  have  invited 
him,  anyhow.  There  are  several  guests  coming  from 
Washington." 

"  If  I  had  only  known  you  cared !  "  cried  Jaqueline. 

"  You  see,  I  want  to  make  as  brave  a  show  as  possible," 
and  Betty  laughed.  "  I  desire  to  let  my  liege-lord  see  that 
I  have  been  accustomed  to  the  best,  and  a  good  deal  of  it, 
so  he  won't  consider  me  an  ignoramus  when  he  is  in 
augurated  Governor  later  on." 

"  Then  let  us  have  Mr.  Ralston !  "  Jaqueline's  eyes 
were  alight  with  eagerness  and  amusement.  "  I  will 
write  to  Mr.  Carrington,  and  you  shall  inclose  an  invita 
tion.  I'll  send  a  few  lines  too,  so  that  he  can  see  it  is 
really  meant." 

"  That's  quite  delightful  of  you.  Maybe  he  will  find 
some  balm  to  mend  his  broken  heart  among  the  pretty 
girls." 

"  He  is  not  heartbroken  now,  although  he  took  it  very 
hard  at  first.  Grandpapa  was  bitterly  opposed  to  it,  you 
know.  And  Marian  is  in  mourning  and  goes  nowhere, 

172 


A   TALK   OF   WEDDINGS. 

because  grandmamma  thinks  she  ought  not  to  be  left 
alone." 

"  But  Mr.  Greaves  will  never  recover.  Doctor  Leets 
said  so." 

"  Oh,  no !     No  one  expects  it,  I  think." 

"  Well,  I  suppose  the  devotion  to  a  lost  cause  looks  very 
pretty  and  constant.  Only  she  will  not  be  a  widow, 
more's  the  pity,  for  widows  soon  pick  up  husbands.  Now 
about  the  invitation." 

It  was  so  prettily  worded  that  Lieutenant  Ralston  ac 
cepted  it  at  the  first  reading;  and  the  two  journeyed  to 
gether  to  the  grand  festivity.  Old  people  and  young  at 
tended,  in  fashions  of  various  kinds,  from  the  Conti 
nental  to  more  modern  date.  The  Governor  of  Virginia 
honored  Betty's  nuptials,  and  several  of  the  Washington 
grandees.  The  Gazette  had  a  brilliant  account  of  it,  and 
it  was  the  boast  of  the  county  for  many  a  year  afterward. 

The  next  morning  the  newly  wedded  pair  started  in  a 
coach  drawn  by  six  white  horses,  ornamented  with  wed 
ding  favors.  And  there  was,  as  usual,  much  merry-mak 
ing  afterwards,  as  there  was  still  one  daughter  to  lead  in 
the  gayety. 

"  And  when  are  you  coming  up  to  Georgetown  ?  "  Car- 
rington  asked  of  his  sweetheart. 

"  Oh,  there  is  another  wedding  on  the  carpet !  And 
then  a  birthday  ball  at  the  Lees'.  Then  Patty  is  to  have 
a  birthday  celebration.  She  thinks  thus  far  all  the  fes 
tivities  have  been  for  me,  and  this  time  the  invitations 
are  to  go  out  in  her  name." 

"  And  then  Christmas,  I  suppose,"  in  a  rather  disap 
pointed  tone.  "  To  get  my  share  of  you  I  shall  have  to 
marry  you,  Jaqueline.  Come,  think  about  that.  When 
is  it  to  be  ?  " 

"  In  a  year.  That  will  give  me  time  to  fulfill  my  en 
gagements  and  get  ready." 

173 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  A  year !  "  in  dismay. 

"  You  ought  not  grudge  me  that  when  you  think  of  the 
years  and  years  we  shall  have  to  live  together." 

"  Shall  have  to !  "  he  re-echoed. 

"  That  I  believe  is  customary  when  one  is  married,"  she 
said  with  teasing  archness.  "  Unless  one  happens  to  have 
the  Emperor  of  the  French  for  a  brother." 

"  Wifehood  is  a  woman's  highest  prerogative " 

"  Not  to  be  entered  into  hastily  or  unadvisedly,"  she  in 
terrupted  with  a  mischievous  smile. 

She  was  a  pretty,  fascinating  torment!  His  mother 
had  said :  "  One  wedding  follows  another  among  the 
bridesmaids.  I  hope  you  will  come  home  with  your  day 
set." 

"  I  am  going  to  learn  to  cook  and  to  keep  house  this 
winter,"  she  began  gravely.  "  And  it  takes  a  long  time 
to  make  wedding  clothes." 

"  Nonsense !  There  are  cooks  enough  in  the  world. 
As  for  housekeeping,  that  is  a  woman's  birthright.  And 
at  first  you  know  we  need  not  keep  house.  You  will  be  in 
Washington  with  me,  and  then  we  can  go  over  home — 
for  I  shall  hardly  let  you  out  of  my  sight.  Yes,  let  it  be 
soon  after  Christmas." 

"  I  can't  be  hurried  in  that  fashion,"  she  returned  petu 
lantly.  "  And  I  should  get  tired  of  you  if  you  were  such 
a  jailer  as  never  to  let  me  out  of  your  sight." 

"  You  do  not  love  me  as  I  love  you !  " 

"  But  you  know  I  told  you  I  was  not  quite  sure  I  loved 
you  enough.  Love  grows  with  some  people,  and  with 
some  it  comes  in  a  moment  of  time.  Would  you  not 
rather  have  it  grow  year  after  year,  and  get  richer  and 
truer " 

Her  voice  fell  to  an  exquisite  softness,  and  touched  him 
deeply. 

"  There  can  be  only  one  truth  to  love,"  he  said  solemnly. 

174 


LOVERS   AND   LOVERS. 

Then  he  took  her  in  his  arms  and  pressed  a  kiss  upon  her 
forehead  in  a  reverent  manner. 

"  I  must  go  away  and  leave  you  here,"  he  said  pres 
ently.  "  I  am  always  leaving  you  to  some  scene  of 
gayety." 

"  But  you  take  the  two  most  tempting  young  men, 
the  lieutenant  and  Dr.  Collaston.  Why,  he  will  add 
quite  a  grace  and  interest  to  Washington.  And  the 
goodly  company  will  be  scattered,  leaving  behind  the  old 
people,  who  are  always  talking  of  their  young  days.  I 
promised  Betty  I  would  stay  a  whole  week  with  her  sister. 
There — I  think  they  are  calling  you." 

"  Carriage  ready,  sah.  Jes'  time  to  meet  de  stage," 
said  the  black  servant,  who  still  wore  his  wedding  favor 
proudly. 

Were  most  girls  reluctant  to  marry  ?  Roger  Carrington 
wondered.  Miss  Fairfax  had  gone  away  joyfully. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

LOVERS   AND   LOVERS. 

1AQUELINE  found  herself  very  much  engrossed. 
J  There  was  another  young  lady  to  attract  visitors,  and 
Patricia  soon  became  a  favorite.  She  was  vivacious  and 
ready  to  take  her  part  in  any  amusement,  could  dance  like 
a  fairy,  and  sing  like  a  bird. 

"  You'll  have  to  look  to  your  laurels,  Miss  Jaqueline," 
said  old  Mr.  Manners,  their  next  neighbor.  "  Patty  will 
carry  off  all  the  lovers  in  no  time.  I  hope  you  have  made 
sure  of  yours." 

Jaqueline  blushed  and  tossed  her  head. 

"  He  would  marry  me  to-morrow,"  she  returned. 
"  I'm  in  no  haste  to  be  married." 

175 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

At  the  next  wedding  she  had  another  attendant,  the 
brother  of  the  bride.  Roger  was  too  busy  to  come  for  the 
mere  pleasure.  When  the  birthday  ball  was  at  the  Lees' 
Mr.  Monroe  had  sent  him  to  Philadelphia  on  some  im 
portant  business.  So  Lieutenant  Ralston  was  cavalier 
for  both  girls ;  and  certainly  Patty  was  one  of  the  belles 
of  the  evening,  and  could  have  danced  with  two  part 
ners  every  time. 

After  that  came  Patty's  birthday,  and  a  grand  affair  it 
was.  Mrs.  Jettson  ran  down  to  look  on  and  help  a  little, 
as  she  said,  but  not  to  take  an  active  part.  Ralston 
begged  that  Dr.  Collaston  might  be  invited.  He  had 
graduated  from  the  Philadelphia  school,  but  was  a  Mary- 
lander  by  birth;  and,  having  a  private  fortune,  had  de 
cided  to  spend  the  winter  in  Washington.  A  bright,  fine- 
looking  young  fellow  who  played  the  flute  delightfully 
and  sang  all  the  songs  of  the  day,  and,  what  was  of  still 
more  importance  to  social  life,  could  dance  with  zest  and 
elegance. 

Jaqueline  was  in  some  degree  the  hostess,  and  dis 
tributed  her  favors  impartially,  so  Roger  had  very  little 
of  her.  Varina  and  Annis  felt  as  if  they  were  in  fairy 
land,  and  were  entranced  with  delight. 

Mrs.  Jettson  insisted  that  after  Christmas  she  should 
have  her  turn  with  the  girls. 

"  There  are  to  be  some  famous  visitors,  I  hear,  and 
Washington  is  getting  to  be  quite  a  notable  place.  Not 
quite  St.  James ;  but  Mrs.  Madison  is  our  queen,  and  it  is 
like  a  little  court,  as  Philadelphia  used  to  be  in  Mrs. 
Washington's  time.  The  debates  will  be  worth  hearing, 
or  rather  seeing,  for  the  famous  speakers  who  will  take 
part.  Dolly  writes  about  Mr.  Calhoun,  and  there  is  a  Mr. 
Henry  Clay,  who  is  very  eloquent.  I  can't  give  regular 
parties,  but  you  girls  can  go  out,  and  Patty  must  attend 
a  levee  and  be  presented  to  Mrs.  Madison." 

176 


LOVERS   AND   LOVERS. 

Patricia  was  very  much  elated. 

"  Why,  it  will  be  something  like  the  English  stories," — 
there  were  a  few  novels  even  then  that  girls  were  allowed 
to  read, — "  going  up  to  London  or  to  Bath  with  a  trunk 
full  of  finery.  I  don't  suppose  you  ever  will  take  us  to 
London,  papa  ?  " 

"  I'm  getting  too  old.  You  will  have  to  get  a  hus 
band  to  take  you  to  London." 

" '  Where  the  streets  were  so  wide  and  the  lanes  were 
so  narrow  ?  '  "  sang  Patty.  "  But  I  won't  have  a  wheel 
barrow.  I'll  have  a  coach,  or  nothing." 

"  I  wish  you  were  not  going  away,"  Annis  sighed. 
"  It's  so  bright  and  merry  when  you  are  here,  and  so 
many  ladies  come  in  their  pretty  frocks,  and  they  laugh 
and  talk.  I  can  hear  you  upstairs  when  I  am  in  my  bed. 
And  the  fiddles  sound  so  gay,  and  then  I  know  you  are 
dancing.  Oh,  I  wish  Christmas  and  birthdays  could 
come  oftener ! " 

"  The  birthdays  might  do  for  little  people  who  are  anx 
ious  to  grow  old  fast,"  said  Jaqueline,  patting  the  child's 
shoulder.  "  But  the  rest  of  us  wouldn't  want  two  or 
three  in  a  year.  And  it  won't  be  very  long  before  you'll 
be  going  to  Washington  to  see  the  queen,  pussy  cat." 

"  But  I  want  you,  not  the  queen.  It  will  be  so  lone 
some  when  you  are  gone ! " 

"  You  are  a  little  sweet ! "  Jaqueline  bent  over  and 
kissed  her.  "  I  hope  you'll  stay  just  sweet,  nothing 
else.  Everybody  will  love  you." 

"  I'm  afraid  I  don't  want  quite  everybody,"  she  re 
turned  in  a  hesitating  tone. 

"  Yes,  one  can  even  have  too  much  of  love,"  laughed 
the  elder  sister.  She  thought  she  sometimes  had  too  much 
of  it.  She  was  proud  of  Roger  Carrington,  and  she  was 
quite  sure  she  did  not  care  for  anyone  else  in  the  way  of 
.wishing  that  some  other  person  stood  in  his  place.  Why, 

?77 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

then,  was  she  not  ready  to  step  into  his  life  and  make  it 
glad  with  a  supreme  touch  of  happiness? 

Annis  glanced  up  wistfully  to  the  beautiful  face  bent 
over  her,  which  was  more  engrossed  with  its  own  per 
plexities  than  considering  her  little  sister.  Then  sud 
denly  she  laughed,  a  low  musical  sound  with  much 
amusement  in  it,  and  Annis  smiled  too. 

"  You  are  having  love  troubles  early,  Annis  dear,"  she 
said  gayly.  Charles'  penchant  increased  rather  than  di 
minished,  and  Annis  found  it  somewhat  exacting  and 
troublesome.  When  there  were  other  young  visitors 
Varina  appropriated  them,  much  to  Charles'  satisfaction, 
and  he  invariably  turned  the  cold  shoulder  to  other  little 
girls. 

"  But  Charles  is  going  to  school  presently,  and  he  will 
get  interested  in  boys  and  plans  for  the  future,  so  you 
may  stand  a  chance  of  being  forgotten;  how  will  you 
like  that?" 

"  Why,  I  shall  have  mamma  always.  Jaqueline," 
hesitatingly,  "  does  anyone  love  you  too  much  ?  Is 
it  Mr.  Ralston?  And  doesn't  he  love  Marian  any 
more  ?  " 

"  My  dear,  when  Marian  was  engaged  Mr.  Ralston 
gave  her  up,  which  was  right  and  honorable.  Little  girls 
can't  understand  all  about  such  matters." 

"  I  like  Mr.  Ralston  very  much,"  Annis  remarked 
gravely.  "  Varina  thinks  Patty  will  marry  him." 

"  What  nonsense !  Varina  is  quite  too  ready  with  her 
tongue.  Come,  don't  you  want  a  little  ride  with  me  be 
fore  I  go  to  town  ?  " 

The  child  was  delighted,  and  ran  off  for  her  hat  and 
coat. 

Her  father  had  suggested  a  little  caution  in  regard  to 
Mr.  Ralston.  They  were  simply  friends.  He  had 
never  uttered  a  word  that  could  be  wrongly  con- 

178 


LOVERS   AND   LOVERS. 

strued.  She  had  a  kind  of  safe  feeling  with  him.  Was 
there  any  real  danger?  But  he  was  Roger's  friend  as 
well? 

There  were  already  some  invitations  awaiting  the 
two  girls  when  they  arrived  at  Mrs.  Jettson's.  Patricia 
was  much  elated  with  her  first  levee.  Certainly  there  was 
a  group  of  distinguished  women  entertaining — Mrs.  Cutts 
and  Mrs.  Lucy  Washington,  now  a  charming  young 
widow;  Mrs  Gallatin,  and  the  still  handsome  Mrs.  Mon 
roe,  who  had  been  an  acknowledged  New  York  beauty; 
and  among  the  men  the  very  agreeable  young  Washington 
Irving,  who  was  to  leave  a  lasting  mark  on  American 
literature. 

"  But  you  feel  almost  afraid  of  the  wisdom  and  genius 
and  power,"  said  Patricia  to  Dr.  Collaston.  "  Now, 
there  is  Mr.  Clay,  with  his  sharp  eyes  under  the  overhang 
ing  eyebrows  that  look  as  if  they  might  dart  out  at  you 
and  somehow  set  you  in  a  blaze.  I  am  to  go  hear  one  of 
his  speeches,  my  brother  insists.  And  my  cousin  Dolly 
is  wild  about  Mr.  Calhoun.  Don't  you  think  they  might 
both  have  been  made  handsomer  without  any  great  det 
riment  to  the  world?  And  Mrs.  Calhoun  is  charming. 
She  knew  some  of  the  Floyds  and  heard  about  Dolly's 
marriage." 

"  Patrick  Henry  wasn't  a  handsome  man,  if  accounts 
are  reliable.  Genius  and  good  looks  do  not  always  go 
together,"  and  Collaston  smiled. 

"  There  is  Mr.  Irving.  He  talks  delightfully.  And 
it  is  a  pleasure  to  look  at  him." 

"  Call  no  man  happy  until  he  is  dead.  I  mean  it  is 
not  safe  to  predict  how  much  fame  one  will  win  un 
til " 

"  Until  he  has  won  it.  But  it  is  a  kind  of  cruel  thing 
to  wait  until  you  are  dead,  when  you  can't  know  anything 
about  it.  I  mean  to  take  my  delight  as  I  go  along.  But, 

179 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

then,  women  are  not  expected  to  be  addicted  to  longing 
for  fame." 

"  Still  they  may  be  famous  for  beauty.  I  think  there 
have  been  a  number  of  famous  women.  Queen  Eliza 
beth " 

"  Don't  instance  the  Empress  Catherine  nor  Catherine 
de  Medicis.  If  you  do,  I  shall  never  forgive  you.  Nor 
Joan  of  Arc — I  can't  remember  any  more." 

"  Nor  the  Pilgrim  mothers !  They  deserved  a  good 
deal  of  credit  to  set  up  housekeeping  on  bleak  Plymouth 
Rock.  Why  doesn't  someone  talk  about  them !  House 
keeping  is  a  womanly  grace  or  virtue  or  acquirement — 
which  do  you  call  it  ?  " 

"  I  suppose  it  is  an  acquirement  when  you  work  hard  to 
obtain  it,  a  grace  when  it  comes  natural.  Do  you  im 
agine  they  kindled  the  fire  on  the  rocks  and  boiled  the  ket 
tle  as  we  do  when  we  go  off  in  the  woods  for  a  day's 
pleasure  ?  " 

"  They  wouldn't  let  you  do  it  now.  Plymouth  Rock  has 
become " 

"  The  palladium  of  liberty !  Isn't  that  rather  choice 
and  fit  and  elegant?  It  is  a  pity  that  I  can't  take  the 
credit  of  inventing  it.  And  what  a  shame  we  haven't  a 
few  rocks  about  here !  I  have  a  dreadful  feeling  that  the 
Capital  may  sink  down  in  the  slough  some  day  and  dis 
appear.  Every  street  ends  in  a  marsh." 

"  You  see,  this  is  rightly  called  the  New  World — it  is 
not  finished  yet." 

"  Dr.  Collaston,  we  can't  allow  you  to  monopolize 
the  beauties  of  the  evening.  Here  are  some  guests 
anxious  to  meet  Miss  Mason,"  and  thereupon  Patricia 
was  turned  slightly  around  to  face  a  group  of  young 
people. 

But  it  was  not  all  gayety  or  compliments,  though  men 
were  gallant  enough  then,  and  ready  with  florid  en- 

180 


LOVERS   AND   LOVERS. 

comiums.  There  was  the  dreaded  topic  of  war,  which 
was  touched  upon  with  bated  breath;  there  were  mut 
tered  anathemas  concerning  the  impressment  of  sailors; 
there  were  fears  of  France  and  a  misgiving  that  we  were 
not  strong  enough  to  cope  with  England  while  our  re 
sources  were  still  slender.  And  already  there  were  un 
dercurrents  forming  for  the  Presidential  election  more 
than  six  months  hence. 

But  the  younger  people  chatted  nonsense,  laughed  at 
trifles,  and  made  engagements  for  pleasure  as  well  as  for 
life ;  or  the  more  coquettish  ones  teased  their  lovers  with 
vain  pretenses.  Mrs.  Van  Ness  entertained  with  ease 
and  brilliance,  and  was  as  fond  of  gathering  the  younger 
people  about  her  as  those  more  serious  companies  where 
the  responsible  party  men  met  and  in  a  veiled  way  touched 
upon  the  graver  questions.  At  Mrs.  Gallatin's  one  met 
the  more  intellectual  or  scientific  people.  There  was  a 
feeling  in  the  air  that  the  country  ought  to  consider  an 
advancement  in  literature.  Boston  was  already  pluming 
herself  upon  a  certain  intellectual  standing.  There  were 
Harvard  and  a  Law  Club,  and  a  kind  of  literary  center 
that  had  issued  a  magazine,  and  there  were  several  pa 
pers.  New  York  had  some  poets,  and  there  had  been  a 
few  novels  written.  But  what  could  anyone  say  about 
such  a  new  country?  There  were  no  famous  ruins, 
though  there  were  battlefields  that  were  to  be  historic 
ground  when  men  could  look  at  them  from  a  distance. 
Many  a  brave  story  lurked  in  the  fastnesses  of  Virginia, 
and  old  James  River  held  a  romance  in  almost  every  curve 
of  its  banks. 

But  people  were  busy  about  the  currency  and  the  debts, 
and  the  laws  the  young  nation  must  have  for  her  safety, 
and  the  respect  she  must  demand  from  other  nations. 
For  this  is  one  of  the  things  nations  give  grudgingly; 
perhaps  individuals  do  it,  as  well.  Even  now  Mr. 

181 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Adams'  administration  was  criticised,  and  Mr.  Benjamin 
Franklin  was  accused  of  spending  his  time  flirting  with 
French  women,  who  were  great  flatterers,  all  the  world 
knew.  And  some  people  were  still  berating  the  Jefferson 
policy,  and  sneered  at  little  Jemmy  Madison.  Washing 
ton  had  not  really  taken  hold  of  the  hearts  of  the  people. 
Gouverneur  Morris  had  said  wittily  that  "  it  only  lacked 
cellars  and  houses  and  decently  paved  streets  and  a  steady 
population,  and  that  it  was  a  fine  city  for  future  resi 
dences." 

Georgetown  was  more  settled  and  prosperous,  and 
there  was  much  going  back  and  forth,  if  coaches  did  now 
and  then  get  stuck  in  the  mud ;  and  young  gentlemen  not 
infrequently  adopted  the  Philadelphia  custom  of  drawing 
on  long  leggings  when  they  went  on  horseback  to  keep 
their  handsome  stockings  and  their  velvet  smallclothes 
from  being  injured. 

The  South  was  well  represented  in  these  early  days. 
Newspaper  letters  found  their  way  to  other  cities,  with 
enthusiastic  descriptions  of  the  principal  beauties,  their 
charms  and  fascinations.  Mrs.  Madison  and  her  two 
sisters  perhaps  set  the  pace  for  delightful  hospitality,  and 
that  still  more  engaging  and  agreeable  quality  of  giving 
guests  a  pleasant  time  and  a  lasting  remembrance  to  take 
away  with  them. 

But  it  was  not  all  pleasure.  There  were  housewifely 
duties ;  and  more  than  one  visitor  saw  the  first  lady  of  the 
land  in  her  morning  gown  of  gray  stuff  and  a  big  white 
apron,  for  servants  were  not  always  equal  to  the  state 
dinners.  There  were  some  charities  too,  when  the 
younger  people  met  to  sew,  and  gossip  about  new  fash 
ions  and  new  admirers.  And  the  first  real  work  of  be 
nevolence  was  undertaken  about  that  time  by  some  of  the 
more  notable  women.  This  was  the  City  Orphan  Asy 
lum,  for  already  there  were  homeless  waifs  at  the  Capital. 

182 


LOVERS   AND   LOVERS. 

They  met  once  a  week  to  cut  out  clothing,  or  cut  over 
garments  sent  in.  Mrs.  Van  Ness  kept  up  her  interest 
in  it  through  a  long  life,  after  Mrs.  Madison  retired  to  her 
Virginian  home  to  nurse  her  husband's  invalid  mother, 
and  finally  devote  herself  to  the  years  of  dependence  that 
befell  the  husband  of  her  love.  Certainly  the  record  of 
her  later  life  reads  like  a  charming  romance.  But  the 
young  people  were  not  interested  in  policies,  and  could 
not  believe  in  war,  except  Indian  skirmishes  and  among 
the  European  nations  hungering  for  power. 

Patricia  was  eager  for  fun  and  delight,  and  dearly 
loved  a  dance.  And,  like  more  modern  girls,  she  had  a 
desire  to  be  settled  in  life,  to  have  a  home  of  her  own.  To 
her  that  seemed  the  chief  business  to  be  undertaken 
through  these  early  years.  She  liked  Ralph  Carrington 
very  much.  "  But  perhaps  one  in  a  family  ought  to  suf 
fice,"  she  remarked  to  Jane.  "  Then  he  is  so  grave  and 
bookish,  and  his  wife  will  be  expected  to  come  home.  I 
dare  say  Jack  and  I  would  always  dispute  about  husbands. 
Ralph  has  the  best  temper.  Roger  is  dreadfully  jealous. 
I  can't  see  how  Jack  dares  to  go  on  so." 

"  She'll  go  too  far  some  day,"  and  Jane  gave  her  head 
a  slow,  ominous  shake.  "  And  she'll  be  very  foolish ! 
You  mark  my  words,  Roger  Carrington  will  be  sent 
abroad  before  he  dies  of  old  age.  It's  a  great  honor,  I 
suppose,  but  I'd  rather  go  on  living  here." 

"  I  really  don't  think  I'll  take  Ralph,"  after  some  con 
sideration.  "  Do  you  suppose  this  gold-thread  em 
broidery  will  look  like  that  imported  stuff?"  holding  up 
her  work,  as  if  that  was  more  important. 

"  Well,  it's  pretty  enough  for  a  queen.  There's  that 
New  York  judge,  Patty " 

"  I'd  rather  have  someone  first-hand.  I  can't  take  an 
other  woman's  children  to  my  palpitating  bosom  and  have 
it  palpitate  as  sweetly  as  Marian's  did.  But,  la !  there's  a 

183 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

talk  that  Mrs.  Washington  smiles  on  Judge  Todd,  who  is 
her  shadow!  But  he's  in  the  Supreme  Court." 

"  And  ever  so  much  older." 

"  Well,  so  was  Mr.  Madison." 

"  I  like  young  men  best." 

"  Peyton  Lee  is  over  here  half  his  time." 

"  But,  then,  I've  known  him  always.  And  he  is  too 
easy.  Why,  I  could  run  right  over  him!  Because  a 
man  cares  for  a  girl  he  shouldn't  be  wishy-washy,"  and 
Patty  tossed  her  dainty  head. 

Jane  laughed.     "  And  the  doctor  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  dare  say  he  will  want  to  go  back  to  Philadel 
phia  and  turn  Quaker.  I  couldn't  wear  those  hideous 
straight  gowns  and  horrid  scoop  hats  without  a  bow !  " 

"  He  has  been  investing  in  Washington  property.  He 
talks  of  building  several  houses  to  rent  for  the  winter.  It 
would  be  quite  a  scheme,  if  they  were  furnished.  Senator 
Macy  would  have  brought  his  family  if  he  could  have 
found  a  comfortable  place  for  them  to  live.  There  ought 
to  be  some  decent  hotels  and  boarding-houses.  Men  can 
manage  to  squeeze  in,  but  it  gives  permanency  to  a  city 
to  have  homes  and  wives  and  children.  And  Washing 
ton  is  kind  of  shifty.  Look  how  prosperous  George 
town  is !  " 

Patty  nodded.  The  doctor  had  discussed  this  property 
scheme  with  her.  She  was  seriously  considering  him  in 
her  own  mind.  He  had  not  quite  asked  her  to  marry 
him,  but  he  was  keeping  a  very  watchful  eye  over 
her. 

They  went  up  to  Arlington  for  a  three-days'  visit  and  a 
dance.  There  was  a  week  at  Bladensburg  and  a  sleigh- 
ride,  a  rather  infrequent  occurrence,  which  made  no  end 
of  fun  and  frolic.  By  this  time  the  doctor  had  laid  his 
case  before  Mr.  Mason.  He  had  decided  to  cast  in  his 
lot  with  the  new  city,  to  set  up  a  home,  and  desired  per- 

184 


LOVERS   AND   LOVERS. 

mission  to  address  charming  Miss  Patricia  on  the  subject. 
He  presented  his  worldly  prospects  to  the  elder  gen 
tleman  in  a  very  frank  manner,  and  referred  him  to  some 
well-known  residents  of  the  Quaker  City. 

Patty  had  been  engrossed  a  good  deal  with  her  own  af 
fairs,  although  she  had  laughed  and  danced  with  the  gay 
est.  Jane  had  been  much  interested  in  watching  the  out 
come  of  the  adventure.  She  had  an  elder-sisterly  feeling 
for  these  girls,  who  had  been  so  much  nearer  since 
Marian's  defection.  She  should  be  rather  proud  of  their 
both  doing  so  well  under  her  supervision. 

So  Jaqueline  had  been  going  her  own  gait  pretty  well, 
and  developed  an  inordinate  fondness  for  pleasure  and 
flattery.  She  was  too  wise  to  believe  all  the  pretty 
speeches,  all  the  earnest  speeches  even.  But  they  had  a 
rosy  fragrance,  and  perhaps  the  good  thing  about  some 
of  them  was  that  they  faded.  She  was  not  an  inborn  co 
quette,  hungry  for  lasting  power  over  men's  hearts,  but 
the  present  moment  satisfied  her.  The  variety  fascinated 
her. 

Roger  Carrington,  watching  this,  was  at  first  rather 
amused,  then  a  little  hurt,  and  finally,  when  he  began  to 
ask  himself  seriously  how  much  true  regard  Jaqueline 
had  for  him,  grew  passionately  jealous.  If  she  had  said, 
"  I  have  made  a  sad  mistake ;  I  find  that  I  have  a  deeper 
regard  for  Lieutenant  Ralston  than  I  imagined ;  will  you 
give  me  back  my  freedom  ?  "  he  would  have  been  manly 
to  the  heart's  core,  and  released  her,  though  it  had 
wrenched  away  the  beautiful  dream  of  his  life. 

But  she  affected  to  treat  this  merely  as  a  friendship. 
Could  she  not  see? 

When  other  attentions  became  troublesome  she  shel 
tered  herself  behind  Ralston.  He  was  engrossed  in  the 
affairs  of  the  country.  He  had  a  feeling  at  times  that  he 
was  only  playing  a  part  in  life,  that  instead  of  being  merely 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

an  ornamental  soldier  he  should  go  out  on  the  frontier  and 
take  an  active  part  in  the  struggles.  He  was  not  meant 
for  a  statesman,  though  he  listened,  fascinated,  to  Mar 
shall  and  Randolph  and  Clay  and  Calhoun,  and  envied 
them  their  power  of  moving  the  multitude  Then,  it  did 
not  seem  very  heroic  to  be  getting  the  level  of  a  street  and 
calculating  the  filling  in,  to  consider  Tiber  Creek  and 
Darby  Marsh,  to  superintend  rows  of  trees  and  dikes  and 
blind  ditches.  But  when  he  confessed  his  dissatisfactions 
to  Jaqueline,  she  said  with  a  wise,  earnest,  sisterly  air: 
"  Oh,  do  not  go  away !  There  will  be  an  election  in  the 
coming  autumn,  and  how  do  you  know  but  we  may  be 
plunged  into  war  and  need  you  for  our  own  defense? 
Arthur  thinks  so  much  of  your  advice  and  counsel." 

That  was  very  true.  The  thing  was  to  build  up  Wash 
ington.  Other  cities  had  grown  by  slow  accretion,  and 
been  a  hundred  and  more  years  about  it.  Congress  had 
ordered  a  city  on  a  slender  purse.  There  had  been  mag 
nificent  plans  and  a  half-finished  Capitol,  a  Presidential 
residence  that  Mrs.  Adams  had  not  inaptly  termed  a 
"  great  castle  " ;  there  were  scattered  beautiful  houses, 
and  though  more  than  a  dozen  years  had  passed  it  was  not 
yet  a  city  of  homes ;  but  there  was  a  new  amour  propre 
awakening.  The  poverty  of  those  days  can  scarcely  be 
understood  in  these  times  of  lavishness. 

So  energetic  young  men  like  Arthur  Jettson  and  Dr. 
Collaston  found  scope  for  all  their  energies,  and  were 
warmly  welcomed. 

The  latter  had  hardly  decided  where  to  make  his  home 
until  he  met  Patricia  Mason.  And  now  he  adopted  his 
nation's  Capital  at  once. 

His  answer  was  favorable,  and  he  hurried  to  his  sweet 
heart  with  all  impatience,  though  he  had  been  cool  enough 
before.  And  she  accepted  him,  as  any  sensible  girl  with 
a  strong  liking  for  a  young  man  every  way  worthy  of  her 

186 


LOVERS   AND   LOVERS. 

regard  was  likely  to  do.  Jane  was  called  in  presently  to 
rejoice  with  them. 

"  Oh,  Patty !  "  she  exclaimed  afterward,  kissing  her  en 
thusiastically,  "  it's  just  a  splendid  marriage !  I'm  so 
glad  to  keep  you  in  Washington!  You  and  Jaqueline 
and  I  will  have  such  good  times — we  think  alike  on  so 
many  subjects.  I  am  happy  for  you,  my  dear.  And  I  do 
wonder  if  you'll  want  to  spin  out  your  engagement " 

"  He  won't,"  returned  Patty,  her  pretty  face  red  as  a 
rose,  and  her  eyes  suffused  with  a  kind  of  prideful  love. 
"  Why,  he  spoke  of  it  and  thought  a  month  would  do ! 
The  idea !  And  all  the  wedding  clothes  to  get  and  make ! 
And  he  never  once  suggested  that  we  should  go  to  New 
York,  as  Preston  Floyd  did !  " 

Patty  drew  her  face  in  comical  lines,  as  if  indicating 
disappointment;  but  the  laugh  spoiled  it  all,  and  the 
waves  of  joy  dancing  in  the  lines  were  fascinating. 

"  I  do  wonder  what  grandmamma  will  give  me  ?  The 
pearls  and  the  rubies  are  bespoke,  and  she  has  a  dia 
mond  cross  that  has  been  in  the  family — how  long?  " 

"  And  the  diamond  ring  father  Mason  gave  her.  You 
know  Aunt  Catharine  claims  that.  I  ought  to  have  the 
cross,  being  the  oldest  girl,  though  it  did  come  from  the 
Verney  side." 

"  Jaqueline  is  to  have  our  own  mother's  pearls. 
There's  a  beautiful  string  of  them,  and  eardrops.  But 
I  think  the  doctor  has  some  diamonds  belonging  to  his 
mother.  Oh,  I  wish  there  were  some  brothers  and  sis 
ters  !  I  shall  not  gain  any  new  relations !  Father  wrote 
him  a  delightful  letter ;  I  wish  I  had  kept  it  to  show  you. 
And  he  says  Jaqueline  and  I  must  come  home  soon.  Per 
haps  he  will  be  up  next  week." 

So  they  chatted,  and  when  Mr.  Jettson  came  in  to 
dinner  it  was  all  gone  over  again.  If  girls  did  not  ex 
actly  "  thank  Heaven  fasting  "  for  a  good  husband,  they 

187 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

were  glad  and  proud  of  their  great  success.  They  were 
not  ashamed  of  loving  and  being  loved ;  there  was  a  kind 
of  sacredness  to  most  women  about  this  best  gift  of  life. 
For  in  those  days  it  was  for  life.  If  it  did  not  begin  with 
the  maddening  fervor  of  some  later  loves,  it  kept  gather 
ing  sweetness  as  the  years  went  on. 

Patty  was  still  at  her  needlework  when  Mr.  Carring- 
ton  came  in. 

"  Mother  has  just  sent  a  servant  over  to  say  that  I  am 
to  bring  you  and  Jaqueline  to  tea  and  to  spend  the  night. 
Some  Baltimore  relatives  have  come,  and  she  is  anxious 
you  shall  meet.  They  go  to  Alexandria  to-morrow,  and 
then  to  Stafford,  which  accounts  for  the  short  notice." 

"  Oh,  Jaqueline  went  over  to  the  Bradfords'  this  morn 
ing.  They're  going  to  have  a  little  play,  and  want  her 
to  take  part.  She  can  do  that  so  splendidly,  you  know. 
Lieutenant  Ralston  came  for  her,  and  said  she  was  to  stay 
to  dinner." 

Carrington  frowned  and  bit  his  lip. 

"  I  think  I'll  send  over  to  the  Bradfords'.  I  can't  go 
myself,"  as  if  he  were  considering. 

"  I'm  sorry,  Roger,  but  perhaps  /  ought  not  go.  And 
I  hate  to  disappoint  your  mother  when  she  has  been  so 
kind  to  us.  But  Dr.  Collaston  is  coming  in  this  even 
ing " 

There  was  a  flood  of  scarlet  leaping  to  her  face  as  she 
gave  a  half-embarrassed  laugh. 

"  Oh,  Patty !  you  don't  mean — I  mistrusted  he  was  in 
love  with  you,  but  it  doesn't  always  follow  that  a  girl  is 
in  love.  Shall  I  give  you  my  best,  my  most  heartfelt 
wishes?  For  I  know  your  father  will  approve.  He  is  a 
fine  fellow,  and  a  fortune  is  no  detriment." 

He  took  her  hand  in  a  tender  clasp  and  then  pressed  it 
to  his  lips. 

"  Yes,  the  approval  was  sought  beforehand.    He  heard 
1 88 


LOVERS    AND   LOVERS. 

from  papa  this  morning,  and  came  at  once.  And  I'm 
not  good  at  secrets,"  with  a  joyous  laugh. 

"  And  you  are  very  happy  ?  I  need  not  ask  it  of  such 
eyes  as  those."  Their  great  gladness  gave  him  a  pang. 

"  It  was  so  sudden.  You  see,  I  wasn't  quite  sure,"  the 
color  fluttering  up  and  down  her  sweet  face.  "  I  kept 
saying  to  myself,  '  There  are  plenty  of  others,'  and  now  I 
know  there  was  just  one,  and  I  could  never  be  so  glad 
about  any  other.  I  am  a  silly  girl,  am  I  not,  but  you  are 
almost  a  brother " 

"  I  wish  I  were  quite,  in  the  way  that  marriage  gives 
you  a  brother.  I  shall  shake  hands  most  cordially  with 
the  doctor.  Perhaps  we  might  go  as  a  party — would  you 
mind?" 

"  Oh,  no !     If  you  could  find  Jaqueline." 

"  I'll  see  at  once,  and  send  you  word.  And  get  word 
to  the  doctor  also." 

"Oh,  thank  you!" 

Roger  Carrington  dispatched  a  messenger  to  the  Brad- 
fords.  The  party  had  just  gone  to  Mount  Pleasant  on 
horseback.  It  was  doubtful  if  they  would  be  home  before 
supper.  They  were  not  sure,  and  there  was  a  beautiful 
full  moon. 

Then  Carrington  was  angry.  She  thought  nothing  of 
going  off  with  Ralston,  and  she  might  at  least  have  con 
sulted  him  about  the  play.  That  she  had  not  known  of  it 
last  evening  did  not  at  that  moment  occur  to  him.  All  the 
grievances  and  irritations  of  the  past  few  weeks  suddenly 
accumulated,  accentuated  by  the  joyous  face  he  had  left 
behind.  Did  Jaqueline  really  love  him  ?  Had  she  not  put 
off  the  marriage  on  one  pretext  and  another?  She  had 
taken  admiration  very  freely,  quite  as  if  she  were  not  an 
engaged  girl.  It  had  annoyed  him,  but  he  did  not  want 
to  play  the  tyrant,  and  she  had  so  many  pretty  excuses. 
How  sweet  and  coaxing  the  tones  of  her  voice  were! 

189 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Her  smiling  eyes  had  ever  persuaded  him ;  and  when  tears 
gathered  in  them  they  were  irresistible  and  swept  away 
judgment.  He  had  been  too  easy.  After  all,  a  man  was 
to  be  the  head. 

He  did  not  find  the  doctor  either,  but  sent  word  to  Pa 
tricia  that  he  was  most  sorry  to  take  such  a  disappoint 
ment  to  his  mother.  They  would  all  go  some  other  time. 
And  he  went  home  rather  out  of  temper  inwardly,  but 
courteous  to  his  mother's  guests  outwardly. 

They  were  quite  disappointed  at  not  seeing  Roger's 
betrothed. 

All  the  next  day  and  evening  he  was  so  closely  en 
gaged  that  he  could  not  even  run  down  to  the  Jettsons' 
until  after  nine;  and  then  they  were  all  out.  That  did 
not  improve  the  white  heat  of  his  indignation,  and  con 
vinced  him  that  Jaqueline  cared  more  for  her  own  pleas 
ure  than  for  him.  Then  when  he  called  the  day  follow 
ing  she  was  over  at  the  Bradfords'  practicing. 

"  It's  too  bad !  "  cried  Patricia.  "  They  never  came 
home  from  their  ride  until  after  ten.  Jaqueline  looked 
for  you  yesterday.  The  play  is  to  be  on  Monday  night, 
and  father  is  corning  up  on  Wednesday,  though  now 
Jaqueline  is  in  it  she  will  have  to  stay.  It  is  to  be  quite 
an  event.  And  a  dance  afterward." 

Occasionally  a  theatrical  company  strayed  into  Wash 
ington,  but  private  plays  were  a  treat  to  the  actors  as  well 
as  to  the  invited  guests.  The  Bradfords'  house  was  com 
modious,  and  the  tickets  were  to  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of 
the  orphan  asylum,  so  there  was  no  difficulty  in  disposing 
of  them. 


190 


JAQUELINE. 
CHAPTER  XIV. 

JAQUELINE. 

"T  THOUGHT  I  should  never  see  you  again." 

It  was  almost  dusk  of  the  short  day,  as  it  had  been 
cloudy  and  was  threatening  a  storm.  Roger  had  over 
taken  Jaqueline  on  her  homeward  way. 

"  How  many  days  has  it  been  ?  "  turning  a  smiling  face 
to  him.  "  I  have  sold  all  my  tickets,  and  I  had  meant  to 
keep  two  for  you.  Come  home  to  supper  with  me.  Of 
course  you  know  what  has  happened!  Patty  acts  as  if 
no  girl  ever  had  a  lover  before.  It  is  amusing." 

Her  light  tone  angered  him. 

"  Walk  a  little  ways  with  me.  I  have  something  to 
say  to  you." 

He  drew  her  hand  through  his  arm  and  strode  on. 
She  braced  herself  for  a  storm. 

"  What — down  to  the  marsh  ?  The  frost  is  coming  out 
of  the  ground,  and  we  shall  be  swamped." 

That  was  true  enough.     He  turned  suddenly. 

"  Let  us  go  home.  It  looks  like  rain.  I  believe  I  felt 
a  drop  on  my  face,"  she  began. 

"  Not  until  I  have  said  my  say,"  in  a  resolute  tone  of 
voice.  "  Jaqueline,  I  cannot  have  this  manner  of  going 
on.  It  is  very  unjust  to  me,  and  you  will  not  be  the 
more  respected  by  parading  Lieutenant  Ralston's  devo 
tion  to  you  when  you  have  an  acknowledged  lover." 

"  His  devotion  to  me  ?  Why,  everybody  knows — at 
least,  we  all  know " 

"  That  figment  is  only  a  cover  for  flirting." 

"  But — he  is  your  friend."  Her  tone  was  quite  re 
sentful,  and  her  temper  was  rising. 

"Was!"  with  emphasis.     "But  this  shall  no  longer 

191 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

be  a  cover  for  you.  You  choose  between  us.  If  you 
like  him  so  much  better " 

"  Roger,  he  has  never  uttered  a  word  of  love  to  me." 
She  stopped  short  in  indignation. 

"  Oh,  no !  He  has  some  lingering  remnant  of  honor. 
But  you  will  see  how  soon  he  will  ask  you  to  marry  him 
when  I  have  given  you  up." 

Given  her  up!  There  was  a  white  line  about  her 
mouth,  and  her  eyes  seemed  to  hold  the  depth  of  mid 
night. 

He  had  not  meant  to  utter  the  words,  though  they  had 
been  in  his  mind  for  days.  At  the  first  inception  of  such 
a  suspicion  he  had  said  he  would  never  give  her  her  lib 
erty  and  see  her  married  to  another  man,  and  then  as  he 
had  seen  her  dispensing  her  smiles  to  a  group  of  young 
men  and  bending  her  dainty  head  first  to  one  and  then  to 
another,  as  if  what  the  present  speaker  was  saying  was 
of  the  utmost  moment,  a  curious  revulsion  of  feeling 
swept  over  him.  Yes,  let  Ralston  take  her,  with  all  her 
love  for  the  admiration  of  everybody!  Perhaps  he  did 
not  care  for  one  supreme  love. 

She  was  silent  from  sheer  amazement.  That  any  man 
who  was  her  real  lover  should  talk  of  such  a  possibility 
stung  her  to  the  quick. 

"  Jaqueline,  I  cannot  go  on  this  way,"  and  his  voice 
dropped  to  a  softer  key.  "  I  want  all  the  tenderness  of 
the  woman  I  love,  and  some  of  the  attention,  I  must  con 
fess.  If  she  cares  for  me  I  do  not  see  how  she  can  be 
continually  occupied  with  others.  You  give  me  just  the 
fragments.  You  make  engagements,  you  go  out  without 
the  least  thought  that  I  might  have  something  in  view ; 
you  have  put  off  our  marriage  from  time  to  time,  and 
now  you  must  decide.  If  you  love  me  well  enough  to 
marry  me " 

"  Out  of  hand !  "  She  gave  a  scornful  little  laugh.  "  I 

192 


JAQUELINE. 

thought  it  was  a  girl's  prerogative  to  appoint  her  own 
wedding-day.  I  will  not  be  hurried  and  ordered  about 
as  if  I  had  no  mind  of  my  own.  I  will  be  no  one's  slave ! 
I  will  not  be  watched  and  suspected  and  lectured,  and 
shut  up  for  fear  someone  will  see  me !  " 

"  Jaqueline !  " 

She  was  very  angry  now,  and  it  seemed  to  her  as  if 
she  had  a  curiously  clear  conscience.  She  had  not  ex 
pected  to  stay  at  the  Bradfords'  until  just  after  dinner, 
but  there  were  still  some  points  to  settle,  then  someone 
proposed  the  ride.  Ralston  had  not  remained  to  dinner, 
and  had  not  gone  out  to  Mount  Pleasant  with  them,  but 
a  servant  had  been  sent  in  with  several  invitations  for 
gentlemen.  Impromptu  parties  were  of  no  infrequent 
occurrence  among  young  people.  Jaqueline  did  not 
know  of  the  invitations  until  after  the  messenger  had  been 
sent ;  and  from  some  oversight  no  one  had  mentioned  Mr. 
Camngton. 

She  could  have  explained  this.  But  when  she  glanced 
at  the  erect  figure,  the  steady  eyes,  the  set  lip,  he  looked 
so  masterful.  She  was  used  to  her  father's  easy-going 
ways,  and  Ralston's  persistence  in  the  matter  of  Marian 
had  a  heroic  aspect  to  her.  If  Roger  was  so  arbitrary  be 
forehand,  what  would  he  be  as  a  husband!  She  forgot 
how  many  times  she  had  persuaded  him  from  the  very 
desire  of  his  heart. 

"  It  is  just  this,  Jaqueline — I  am  tired  of  trifling.  If 
you  do  not  care  to  marry  me,  say  so.  I  sometimes  think 
you  do  not,  that  you  care  for  lovers  only,  admirers  who 
hover  about  continually,  glad  of  a  crumb  from  a  pretty 
girl.  I  am  not  one  of  them.  You  take  me  and  let  my 
attentions  suffice,  or  you  leave  me " 

She  had  an  ideal  of  what  a  lover  should  be,  and  he 
looked  most  unlike  it  in  this  determined  mood.  Why,  he 
was  almost  as  arbitrary  as  grandfather! 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Suppose  I  do  not  care  to  be  hurried  by  a  fit  of  anger 
on  your  part?  If  you  had  asked  an  explanation  like  a 
gentleman " 

"  I  do  not  want  explanations.  You  take  me  or  leave 
me.  I  have  danced  attendance  on  you  long  enough  to 
no  purpose." 

"  I  certainly  shall  not  take  you  in  this  dreadful  tem 
per  ! " 

"  Very  well."  He  turned  slowly.  If  he  really  cared 
for  her  he  would  not  go.  She  stood  dignified  and 
haughty.  Of  course  he  would  come  around,  for  if  he 
truly  loved  her  he  could  not  face  the  future  without  her. 
But  the  door  shut  between  them. 

It  was  very  ungenerous  for  him  to  be  jealous  of  Ral 
ston,  and  foolish  of  him  not  to  like  her  part  in  the  little 
play.  She  was  not  the  heroine  who  had  two  lovers  ador 
ing  her,  but  a  pretty  maid  who  had  made  her  election  and 
was  pestered  by  someone  she  did  not  care  for,  and  the 
story  turned  on  her  quick  wit  in  extricating  her  mistress 
from  a  dilemma.  Ralston  was  the  lover  to  whom  her  sym 
pathies  went,  and  the  one  her  mistress  secretly  favored. 

Mrs.  Carrington  came  over  that  day  to  take  the  girls 
out  for  a  drive  and  to  try  to  persuade  them  to  come  over 
for  a  Sunday  visit.  She  congratulated  Patricia  warmly 
on  her  prospects. 

"  Perhaps  we  shall  have  a  double  wedding,"  with  a 
soft,  motherly  smile. 

"  Oh,  don't  plan  for  that ! "  ejaculated  the  elder  girl 
with  a  shiver.  "  Grandmamma  did,  you  know,  and  such 
misfortunes  happened." 

"  But  it  would  be  lovely !  "  Patricia  exclaimed  long 
ingly,  wondering  at  her  sister's  vehemence. 

"  And  you  think  you  cannot  come  ?  "  Mrs.  Carrington 
said  as  they  drove  back  to  Mrs.  Jettson's.  "  It  would  be 
such  a  great  pleasure  to  us  all !  " 

194 


JAQUELINE. 

"  We  have  a  Saturday-night  engagement  at  the  Ham- 
iltons',"  Patricia  replied.  "  And  Sunday  there  are  to  be 
some  guests  to  dinner." 

"  And  the  play  Monday  evening,"  added  Jaqueline  in 
a  voice  she  tried  to  keep  steady. 

"  I  don't  wonder  you  two  girls  have  delightful  times 
and  are  full  of  engagements,"  said  the  elder  woman  with 
a  smile  of  admiration.  "  But  my  turn  will  come  pres 
ently.  Good-by,  my  dears." 

Jaqueline  felt  confident  she  should  meet  her  lover  at  the 
Hamiltons',  but  she  did  not  Sunday  passed  without  him. 

"  Whatever  is  the  matter  ?  "  inquired  Patty. 

"  A  little  lovers'  tiff,"  and  Jaqueline  gave  an  airy  toss 
of  the  head,  with  a  rather  disdainful  smile. 

"  You  never  do  mean  to  quarrel  with  Roger  Carring- 
ton ! "  exclaimed  Patty  in  surprise. 

"  It  was  of  his  own  making." 

"  Jack,  now  that  I  have  a  lover  of  my  very  own,  I  don't 
see  how  you  can  be  so  fond  of — of  other  men.  You 
haven't  treated  Roger  at  all  well." 

"  I  won't  be  called  that  detestable  Jack !  And  I  am  not 
man-crazy ! " 

"  No,  they  are  crazy  about  you.  I  shouldn't  think 
Roger  would  like  it.  No  lover  would  stand  it." 

Jaqueline  made  no  reply. 

Monday  there  was  a  rehearsal,  and  Jaqueline  remained 
to  tea.  There  was  a  very  enthusiastic  audience,  and  the 
play  was  charmingly  acted.  Of  course  Roger  was  there, 
and  chatted  with  Patricia  and  the  doctor.  Jaqueline  in 
her  heart  acted  for  him  alone.  She  was  so  eager  and 
interested  in  furthering  Margaret  Bradford's  love  for 
Lieutenant  Ralston  that  she  thought  he  must  see  how 
frankly  and  freely  she  could  relinquish  him.  But  Roger, 
knowing  that  Margaret  Bradford  had  a  real  lover,  looked 
at  it  from  a  different  point  of  view. 

195 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"Will  you  give  my  congratulations  to  your  sister?" 
he  said  to  Patricia,  rising,  as  the  curtain  fell  for  the  last 
time.  "  There  is  some  important  business  at  Mr.  Mon 
roe's,  and  I  am  to  be  there  at  ten." 

"  Are  you  not  going  to  stay  to  the  supper  ?  "  Patty  cried 
in  surprise.  "  I  know  Jaqueline  expects  you." 

If  she  had  sent  ever  such  a  little  note  to  bid  him  come ! 
But  she  had  made  no  sign. 

Then  Jaqueline  Mason  was  very  angry.  She  would 
not  believe  any  man  actually  in  love  could  so  hold  aloof. 
It  was  an  insult!  And  while  her  passion  was  at  white 
heat  the  next  morning  she  penned  a  sharp  note  of  dis 
missal.  He  should  not  plume  himself  upon  having  given 
her  up. 

Mr.  Mason  came  to  Washington  according  to  agree 
ment,  and  was  very  well  satisfied  with  his  prospective 
son-in-law. 

"  But  do  not  go  on  too  fast,"  he  advised.  "  Mat 
ters  look  squally  ahead.  And  if  we  should  have 
war " 

"  It  will  hardly  invade  us,  when  there  are  more  impor 
tant  cities  open  to  attack.  And  I  cannot  really  think  it. 
As  the  capital  of  the  nation  we  must  plan  and  build  for 
the  future.  L'Enfant  planned  magnificently ;  it  is  for  us 
to  carry  it  out.  And  we  younger  men,  who  have  not  had 
our  tempers  so  tried  with  all  the  disputes,  will  continue  it 
with  greater  enthusiasm.  It  must  be  the  grandest  place 
in  the  whole  country." 

Mr.  Mason  smiled  thoughtfully. 

"  I  hope  it  may  be.  We  had  a  hard  fight  for  it 
in  the  beginning.  I  want  the  wisdom  of  our  choice 
apparent." 

"  It  will  be  the  city  of  my  adoption,  and  I  shall  bend  all 
my  energies,  and  whatever  money  I  can  spare,  to  its  ad 
vancement.  Having  won  my  wife  here,  it  will  always 

196 


JAQUELINE. 

keep  a  charm  for  me.  I  should  like  to  be  married  as 
soon  as  is  convenient.  Patricia  will  be  very  happy  here, 
I  am  sure." 

Patricia  was  a  fortunate  girl,  her  father  thought. 
Fathers  had  their  daughters'  interests  at  heart  in  those 
days,  when  there  was  time  to  live. 

"  What  is  this?  "  he  asked  of  Jaqueline  on  the  morning 
of  their  departure,  holding  a  brief  note  before  her  eyes. 
"  You  don't  mean  that  you  have  dismissed  Mr.  Carring- 
ton?" 

Jaqueline  flushed  deeply,  then  turned  pale.  For  a  mo 
ment  it  seemed  as  if  her  tongue  was  numb  with  terror. 
Had  he  really  accepted  her  desire  without  a  protest? 
Was  it  her  desire? 

"  There  was — oh,  I  cannot  tell  you  now !  Wait  until 
we  get  home,"  she  pleaded. 

"  But  he  says — it  is  your  wish !  Jaqueline,  my  child, 
you  never  could  have  been  so  foolish  as  to  throw  over  a 
man  like  that !  " 

"  Oh,  papa — don't,  don't !  When  you  hear  all " 

and  she  clasped  her  arms  about  his  neck. 

"  I  can't  imagine  him  doing  an  ungentlemanly  act. 
And  if  you  have  learned  anything  to  his  detriment — there 
are  malicious  tongues,  you  know.  Yet  I  cannot  bear  to 
think  you  were  to  blame." 

The  girl  was  silent,  and  swallowed  hard  over  the  lump 
of  condemnation  in  her  throat.  For  she  had  thought  he 
would  offer  her  some  opportunity  to  rehabilitate  her 
self.  She  could  not  believe  she  had  given  such  bitter 
offense.  It  seemed  to  her  that  she  would  have  forgiven 
almost  anything  to  Roger.  Suppose  he  had  wanted  to 
take  part  in  a  play  with  a  girl  she  had  not  liked?  But, 
then,  he  and  Ralston  had  been  warm  friends.  Roger 
went  to  places  where  she  was  not  acquainted,  at  the 
houses  of  some  of  the  senators.  The  Monroes  invited 

197 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

him.  Yes,  he  met  some  very  charming  women  at  din 
ners.  But  she  knew  she  held  his  inmost  heart,  as  far  as 
other  women  were  concerned.  And  why  could  he  not 
have  the  same  trust  in  her? 

Dr.  Collaston  treated  it  as  a  mere  lovers'  tiff.  "  They 
will  make  up  again,"  he  said  to  Patricia.  "  And  no  doubt 
we'll  be  married  at  the  same  time.  Carrington  is  a  fine 
fellow." 

For  the  first  day  Patricia's  affairs  occupied  everybody, 
to  the  farthest  slave  cabin.  Big  and  little  wanted  a  peep 
at  Miss  Patty's  lover.  Comparisons  were  drawn  between 
him  and  Mr.  Carrington,  and  a  doctor  was  looked  upon 
as  something  rather  uncanny.  But  he  soon  made  himself 
a  favorite. 

Mrs.  Mason  was  consulted  about  the  wedding. 

"  What  are  Jaqueline's  plans  ?  "  she  asked. 

"  I  must  get  to  the  bottom  of  that  matter,"  the  father 
remarked  with  a  sigh.  "  Something  has  happened  be 
tween  them." 

"  And  we  all  like  Roger  so  much." 

It  was  a  fine  day  in  early  spring,  with  the  breath  of  new 
growing  things  making  the  air  fragrant.  Jaqueline  was 
walking  with  Annis  and  telling  over  the  pretty  ways  and 
whims  of  the  Jettson  baby,  and  how  fond  the  boys  were 
of  their  little  sister. 

"  Jaqueline !  "  called  her  father. 

"  No,  don't  come  with  me,  dear.  I'll  be  back  in  a  few 
moments." 

Annis  sat  down  on  a  flat  stone  where  a  bit  of  trailing 
moss  dropped  from  a  tree,  swinging  to  and  fro.  She 
amused  herself  trying  to  catch  it.  And  then  she  heard  a 
voice  raised  in  tones  that  were  not  pleasant. 

Without  exactly  meaning  to  make  it  harder  for  her 
sister,  Patricia  had  admitted  that  Roger  had  some  cause 
to  find  fault.  Jacky  had  been  very  much  admired,  and  she 

193 


JAQUELINE. 

had  not  paid  due  attention  to  Roger.  There  had  been 
something  about  the  play,  but  she  didn't  think  Jaqueline 
cared  any  more  for  Ralston  than  for  half  a  dozen  others. 
From  it  all  Mr.  Mason  gathered  that  his  daughter  had 
not  been  blameless. 

To  break  an  engagement  without  excellent  reasons  was 
considered  very  reprehensible.  A  girl  might  have  lovers 
by  the  score;  and  though  she  might  lay  herself  open  to 
the  accusation  of  flirting— this  was  easily  forgiven. 
But  when  one's  word  had  once  been  passed,  it  was  the 
sacred  honor  of  womanhood,  and  to  break  it  left  a  stigma 
not  easily  overcome. 

To  Mr.  Mason,  with  his  strict  sense  of  justice,  this 
was  a  severe  blow.  He  had  been  proud  of  Jaqueline  go 
ing  back  into  the  Carrington  family,  and  her  warm  wel 
come  from  both  ladies.  Dr.  Collaston  had  a  much  larger 
fortune  and  was  of  good  family,  but  the  Carringtons  had 
some  of  the  proudest  Maryland  and  Virginian  blood  in 
their  veins,  heroes  who  had  made  their  mark,  women 
both  brave  and  beautiful.  And  there  was  no  doubt  but 
that  Roger  would  make  some  sort  of  a  high  record  and 
be  called  upon  to  fill  an  important  position. 

"  You  have  been  a  foolish  and  wicked  girl !  "  he  said 
angrily  to  his  daughter.  "  You  have  disgraced  yourself 
and  us,  and  broken  up  a  lifelong  friendship  just  to  gratify 
a  silly  vanity  and  a  spirit  of  contumacy  that  is  despicable 
in  a  woman!  I  am  sure  Roger  had  some  rights  in  the 
case.  If  he  had  come  to  me  I  should  have  appointed  a 
wedding-day  at  once.  And  now  you  will  be  the  laugh 
ing-stock  of  the  county." 

That  was  the  mortifying  point.  Patricia  would  be  mar 
ried  before  her,  with  a  great  flourish  of  trumpets.  She 
felt  almost  as  if  she  would  make  some  effort  to  recall 
Roger.  But  that  brief  note  to  her  father,  explaining  that 
he  had  given  her  her  liberty  because  she  wished  it,  be- 

199 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

ing  quite  convinced  it  was  better  for  them  to  separate, 
seemed  to  cut  off  every  avenue  of  promise. 

"  Father  is  awful  mad  at  Jaqueline,"  said  Varina  to 
Annis.  "  He's  scolded  her  like  fun !  And  she  isn't  go 
ing  to  marry  Roger.  The  slaves  say  when  the  eldest  lets 
her  sister  get  married  first  that  she  will  have  to  go  and 
dance  in  the  pigpen.  Do  you  suppose  she  will  ?  " 

"  No,  she  won't !  "  exclaimed  Annis  indignantly.  "  And 
I'm  sorry.  Poor  Jaqueline !  " 

"  Oh,  you  needn't  be  sorry !  Jack  can  get  ever 
so  many  lovers.  But  I'd  like  them  both  to  be  married. 
They're  always  saying, '  Run  away,  Rene/  or  '  Go  get  this 
and  that/  when  they  know  you  can't  find  it.  And  Patty 
is  going  to  live  in  a  beautiful  big  house  in  Washington, 
ever  so  much  bigger  than  Aunt  Jane's,  and  she  will  give 
balls  and  parties  and  go  to  Mrs.  Madison's  every  day.  I 
mean  to  coax  papa  to  let  me  live  with  her." 

That  was  all  very  grand.  Annis  liked  Dr.  Collaston, 
too.  Patty  had  grown  curiously  sweet,  and  everybody 
was  coming  to  wish  her  happiness. 

Jaqueline  was  evidently  in  disgrace.  Even  grand 
mother,  who  came  down  to  spend  a  few  days  and  hear 
the  plans,  read  her  a  severe  lecture.  Mrs.  Mason  was 
sorry,  for  she  felt  in  her  heart  that  Jaqueline  cared  more 
for  Roger  than  she  admitted. 

But  the  sympathy  from  little  Annis  was  the  sweetest. 
She  had  a  way  of  patting  Jaqueline's  hand  and  pressing 
it  to  her  soft  cheek,  of  glancing  up  with  such  tender  eyes 
that  it  moved  the  elder's  heart  inexpressibly. 

There  was  a  world  of  excitement  on  the  old  plantation. 
Madam  Floyd  had  been  married  there  in  grand  state  and 
dignity,  but  "  Miss  Cassy  "  had  missed  a  wedding  in  her 
youth,  and  now  that  one  of  the  household,  born  under  the 
roof-tree  and  reared  among  them  all,  one  of  the  true 
"  chillen  at  de  big  house,"  was  to  be  wedded  with  a  gay 

200 


JAQUELINE. 

bevy  of  bridesmaids  and  an  evening  of  dancing  to  bridal 
music,  the  whole  place  was  astir.  Dr.  Collaston  would 
wait  no  later  than  June. 

"  After  all,"  declared  Patty,  "  much  of  the  work  can 
be  done  afterward.  The  house  will  not  be  finished  until 
August;  meanwhile  we  shall  stay  wherever  we  can,  and 
spend  a  month  at  Bladensburg.  So  there  need  be  no 
hurry  about  anything  but  gowns."  The  doctor  had 
ordered  some  things  abroad,  for,  although  duties  were 
high  and  the  risks  great,  vessels  came  and  went  in  com 
parative  safety. 

Immediately  upon  the  adjournment  of  Congress  Mr. 
Monroe  decided  upon  a  visit  to  New  York,  ostensibly  on 
his  wife's  account,  who  had  been  the  famous  Miss  Kort- 
wright  of  that  city.  Political  matters  were  kept  in  the 
background.  It  was  known  that  there  was  an  undercur 
rent  at  work  for  De  Witt  Clinton  as  the  next  occupant 
of  the  Presidential  chair.  Mr.  Monroe  determined  to 
visit  several  of  the  larger  cities,  and  Roger  Carrington 
was  glad  of  the  opportunity  to  go  away.  Ralston  had 
been  sent  with  a  corps  of  engineers  to  examine  the  de 
fenses  of  several  important  points. 

Jaqueline  was  relieved,  and  yet  strangely  disappointed. 
Did  Ralston  know  that  he  had  been  considered  a  sort  of 
marplot?  Yet  when  Carrington  went  carefully  over  the 
ground,  he  thought  if  there  was  any  fault  between  them 
it  really  was  Jaqueline's  appropriation  of  the  young  man. 

Mrs.  Carrington  had  been  deeply  disappointed;  but, 
mother-like,  she  blamed  Jaqueline  for  the  trouble.  The 
answer  to  Patricia's  wedding  invitation  had  been  a  brief 
note  in  which  Madam  and  Ralph  joined  her  in  con 
gratulations.  The  elder  lady  was  now  quite  an  invalid, 
so  it  would  not  be  possible  for  them  to  leave  home. 

Jaqueline  felt  curiously  bewildered  in  those  days.  At 
times  she  decided  that  she  really  hated  Roger  for  his  jeal- 

201 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

cms,  overbearing  disposition,  and  was  thankful  she  was 
not  to  be  his  wife.  Then  a  wave  of  the  old  love  and  long 
ing  would  sweep  over  her.  Would  a  line  from  her  bring 
him  back?  But  he  was  quite  wrong  about  Ralston. 

So  there  was  a  grand  wedding,  and  young  and  old  were 
invited,  with  numerous  guests  from  Washington.  Annis 
and  Varina  brought  up  the  rear  of  the  bridesmaids,  with 
Charles  and  a  neighboring  lad,  dressed  in  the  pretty 
French-court  style. 

"  You  are  more  beautiful  than  the  bride,"  said  Charles 
gallantly.  "  When  you  are  married  you  must  be  dressed 
just  that  way." 

It  was  a  summer  of  gayety,  and  there  were  times  when 
everyone  allowed  Jaqueline  to  forget  her  naughtiness, 
and  she  almost  forgot  it  herself.  Louis  came  home 
crowned  with  honors  and  very  proud  of  his  success,  and 
pleased  Patricia  by  his  admiration  of  her  husband. 

"  How  tall  and  pretty  Annis  is  growing !  "  he  said  to 
her  mother.  "  But  try  to  keep  her  a  little  girl,  and  let 
Rene  have  full  swing  first  and  marry  off.  Though  I  shall 
rather  pity  her  husband,  her  temper  is  so  capricious. 
Annis  is  sweetness  itself.  She  seems  to  be  the  peace 
maker  always." 

"  Don't  flatter  her  too  extravagantly.  I  think  you  all 
torment  Varina  so  much  that  it  makes  her  irritable." 

"  Varina  and  Charles  bicker  constantly.  Charles  must 
go  to  school  next  year  and  get  the  nonsense  shaken  out  of 
him.  Varina  ought  to  try  it  too.  There  is  a  very  ex 
cellent  girls'  school  at  Williamsburg,  and  a  little  of  Aunt 
Catharine's  discipline  would  do  her  good.  We  are  a 
rather  lawless  set,  and  you  have  been  very  kind  to  us." 

"  I  have  not  found  any  of  you  troublesome,"  and  the 
stepmother  smiled  upon  her  tall  son.  "  Charles  is  anx 
ious  to  go  away  now." 

"  He  is  a  smart,  queer  chap,  and  will  be  a  professor  of 

202 


JAQUELINE. 

some  kind.  At  present  he  is  simply  omnivorous;  it 
makes  little  difference  what,  so  long  as  he  learns.  And  I 
really  did  not  like  to  study." 

"  You  have  given  your  father  a  great  deal  of  pleas 
ure  by  your  perseverance,"  she  said  sweetly. 

Varina  was  jealous  that  both  brothers  should  haunt 
Annis  so  continually  and  be  so  ready  to  plan  pleasures  for 
her.  She  quite  decided  now  that  Annis  might  marry 
Charles. 

"  And  if  no  one  marries  me  I  shall  go  and  keep  house 
for  Louis  in  Washington,"  she  announced. 

There  was  a  houseful  of  grown  people  one  afternoon, 
when  Annis  took  her  sewing  and  went  down  to  the  creek 
to  a  shady  spot  the  children  were  very  fond  of.  Louis 
had  made  a  kind  of  swinging  seat  with  a  wild  grapevine, 
and  it  was  a  favorite  haunt  of  hers,  though  when  she 
found  Varina  in  it  she  never  disturbed  her  or  disputed  her 
claim.  Charles  often  sat  and  read  to  her. 

"  Do,  Rene,  go  away  or  find  something  to  do !  "  ex 
claimed  Jaqueline  presently,  when  the  younger  had  been 
especially  tormenting.  "  You  are  worse  than  a  gadfly !  " 

"  There's  no  one  to  amuse  me.  I  don't  care  for  those 
folks  on  the  porch  talking  politics." 

"  Then  go  down  to  the  quarters  and  set  the  darkies  to 
dancing  or  order  up  Hornet." 

"  I  don't  want  to  ride  alone.  It  was  mean  in  Charles 
to  go  off  without  saying  a  word." 

"  Papa  sent  him  over  to  the  Crears'  on  an  errand." 

"  I  wouldn't  have  spoiled  the  errand." 

"  I  am  going  down  to  listen  to  the  politics,  and  learn 
who  will  be  next  President." 

"  Then  I'll  hunt  up  Annis." 

Jaqueline  hoped  Annis  had  gone  wandering  in  the 
woods.  But  Varina  went  straight  to  the  retreat.  Yes, 
there  was  Annis  swinging  in  her  shady  nook  with  a  very 

203 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

slow  movement  that  did  not  hinder  her  from  sewing  on 
her  strip  of  gay  embroidery.  And  Charles  sat  on  his 
horse  in  his  delicate,  high-bred  manner.  They  all  said 
he  resembled  the  old  courtier  in  the  parlor. 

The  little  creek  purled  over  the  stones,  crooning  its  way 
along.  The  air  was  sweet  with  innumerable  fragrances, 
the  sunshine  veiled  with  a  soft  haze  that  deepened  the 
shadows  all  about.  Charles  enjoyed  the  brooding  atmos 
phere  and  the  picture  Annis  made.  His  horse  had  taken 
a  few  steps  in  the  creek  and  quenched  his  thirst,  and 
now  seemed  enjoying  the  fine  prospect. 

Varina  made  her  complaint  at  once. 

"  I  didn't  want  you  to  go  with  me,"  he  answered. 
"  Papa  had  nothing  to  do  with  it." 

"  Oh,  you  might  have  made  me  Jack  at  a  pinch,  if 
Annis  could  not  go." 

"  I  didn't  ask  Annis.  And  I  didn't  want  any  pinches,'' 
laughingly. 

Varina  roamed  up  and  down,  interrupting  the  talk. 
Charles  had  stumbled  over  his  brother's  copy  of  Shaks- 
pere,  that  had  opened  a  new  world  to  him.  Louis 
laughed  a  little  at  his  enthusiasm,  but  Annis  never 
laughed. 

"  I  mean  some  day  to  go  and  see  all  these  places," 
he  was  saying.  "  You  know,  they  are  real  places, 
and  some  of  the  people  were  real  people.  Perhaps 
they  all  were.  Varina,  don't  you  splash  the  water  over 
Annis." 

Varina  had  picked  up  a  slender  dead  branch,  and  was 
beating  up  waves  in  the  little  creek.  The  spray  went 
quite  a  distance. 

"  No  matter,"  said  Annis.  "  A  little  water  doesn't 
hurt.  But  tell  me,  did  they  really  put  out  Prince  Ar 
thur's  eyes  ?  How  could  they  be  so  cruel  ?  " 

"  I  don't  see  how  you  can  take  an  interest  in  such 
204 


JAQUELINE. 

people.  You're  always  talking  about  wars  and  all  man 
ner  of  terrible  things." 

Varina  brought  her  stick  down  with  emphasis.  Sam 
had  been  stepping  softly  about  the  edge  of  the  creek,  the 
cool  water  laving  his  hoofs.  He  had  not  minded  the 
sprinkling  on  his  sides,  but  this  gave  him  a  drench  in  the 
face.  He  threw  up  his  head  and  turned  to  walk  out. 
Charles  had  dropped  the  bridle  rein,  but  Sam  was  gentle 
enough.  As  he  reached  the  edge  he  stepped  on  a  rolling 
stone,  stumbled,  tried  to  regain  his  poise,  but  both  horse 
and  boy  went  over.  Sam  righted  himself  in  a  moment, 
but  Charles  lay  quite  still. 

"  Oh,  if  you  have  killed  him !  "  cried  Annis. 

Varina  was  white  with  an  awful  fear,  too  much  alarmed 
to  make  a  sound.  It  was  Annis  who  flew  to  his  side. 
She  bathed  his  face  and  head  with  her  handkerchief. 
Sam  came  and  looked  on  with  a  human  expression  in  his 
eyes.  Charles  stirred  and  sighed. 

"  Oh,  he  isn't  dead !  "  cried  Annis  joyfully. 

"  No,  I'm  not  dead."  Charles  sat  up,  wincing  a  little. 
"  What  happened  ?  " 

Varina  pushed  Annis  aside  and  knelt  down  with  her 
arms  around  him.  "  I'm  so  sorry !  "  she  began.  "  But 
that  little  douse  didn't  make  Sam  stumble.  What  can  I 
do  ?  Shall  I  run  up  to  the  house  for  anything  ?  " 

"  Just  help  me  up.  No,  I  haven't  any  broken  bones. 
Be  thankful  for  that,  Rene,"  and  the  boy  tried  every 
limb.  There  were  twinges  in  his  back  and  a  queer, 
half-dizzy  feeling  in  his  head.  "  I'll  be  all  right  in  a 
moment." 

Sam  seemed  to  feel  reassured,  and  went  to  cropping 
the  sedgy  grass. 

"  There,  don't  cry,  Rene.  It  wasn't  all  your  fault. 
Sam  trod  on  something  that  rolled — a  stone,  I  think." 

"  And  I  do  love  you  so — ever  so  much  more  than  you 
205 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

love  me!     And  it  gives  me  a  heartache  to  see  you  all 
take  in  Annis  and  crowd  me  out." 

Varina  began  to  sob. 

"  I  don't  mean  to  crowd  anyone  out,"  declared  Annis  in 
a  tone  that  sounded  as  if  it  came  over  tears.  "  And  you 
all  have  a  part  of  my  own  mamma." 

"  Annis  is  so  good  and  sweet,  and  ready  to  give  up  any 
point,  and  you  want  always  to  take  things  whether  or  no. 
Perhaps  you'll  grow  up  like  Jaqueline  or  Patty,  and  Pat 
ty's  awful  sweet  to  everybody  since  she's  had  a  husband. 
There,  don't  cry  any  more;  I'm  not  killed.  I'll  sit 
here  and  rest  a  little.  And,  Rene,  if  you  would  only 
give  over  tormenting  people  when  they  tell  you  to 
stop!" 

Varina  was  still  a  good  deal  alarmed.  She  could  see 
Charles'  white  face  without  a  bit  of  color  in  the  lips  as 
he  lay  on  the  ground.  He  was  pale  still,  as  he  leaned 
back  in  the  swing. 

"  And,  Rene,  you  will  never,  never  get  a  husband  un 
less  you  do  change.  You'll  be  a  cross  and  queer  old  maid, 
and  not  one  of  us  will  be  willing  to  have  you  about.  And 
you  can  be  real  nice." 

"  Oh,  don't  scold  her  so ! "  Annis  went  and  clasped 
her  arms  about  Varina's  neck.  "  She  is  going  to  be 
sweet  and  good  because  nothing  dreadful  did  happen. 
God,  you  know,  kept  it  from  happening.  And  when  one 
is  very  grateful  one  tries  hard  to  do  one's  best.  Some 
times  I  think  you  don't  love  Rene  enough,  and  it  makes 
her  hurt  and  sore." 

Then  the  children  made  resolves  all  around,  and 
Charles  walked  between  the  girls  up  to  the  house.  If 
the  making  up  could  only  last! 

"  Don't  say  a  word  about  it,"  he  cautioned  them. 
"  Father  would  make  a  fuss."  Then  he  turned  and  kissed 
Yarina,  a  caress  he  seldom  offered  her. 

206 


A   SMALL   HERO. 

"  I'm  going  to  try,  I  really  am.  But  it  is  so  hard  not 
to  be  loved." 

"  But  we  do  love  you,"  declared  both  in  a  breath. 

The  trouble  was  they  loved  each  other  as  well.  And 
she  wanted  to  be  loved  best. 

CHAPTER   XV. 

A  SMALL  HERO. 

P)R.  COLL  ASTON  and  his  wife  opened  their  new 
house  early  in  September  with  quite  a  grand  gather 
ing  of  friends.  It  was  really  very  handsome  for  the 
times,  and  the  young  wife  was  considered  quite  an  ac 
quisition  to  society,  which  was  rather  fluctuating.  Louis 
Mason  esteemed  himself  very  fortunate  to  obtain  a  place 
in  the  office  of  Judge  Todd  of  the  Supreme  Court. 
Charles  and  Varina  went  to  Williamsburg  to  school,  and 
Annis  had  her  mother  all  to  herself  once  more,  for  Jaque- 
line  was  in  great  demand  at  her  sister's. 

She  was  not  long  in  meeting  Roger  Carrington,  but 
they  might  have  been  the  merest  acquaintances.  And  as 
if  to  help  the  family  get  over  the  disappointment,  Ralph 
married  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  neighbors,  an  amiable, 
home-loving  girl,  an  excellent  housekeeper,  and  quite  up 
in  the  demands  of  the  society  of  the  day.  She  came 
home  to  live,  and  Mrs.  Carrington  had  her  coveted  daugh 
ter,  who  was  entirely  satisfied  with  her  position. 

"  We  were  all  very  sorry  when  the  difference  .hap 
pened  between  you  and  Roger,"  Mrs.  Carrington  said 
gently  to  Jaqueline  the  first  time  they  met.  "  But  it 
was  better  to  learn  then  that  you  could  not  agree  than  to 
have  to  live  unhappy  afterward.  Still,  I  hope  we  shall 
remain  friends,  and  I  want  a  visit  from  your  parents  very 
much." 

207 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Jaqueline  thanked  her  gracefully.  Truly,  it  seemed 
to  make  little  difference.  Roger  looked  older  and  more 
dignified,  and  was  in  great  demand  with  the  inner  circle 
of  both  men  and  women. 

There  were  many  pressing  questions,  both  in  the  City 
and  country.  The  Napoleonic  conquests  had  shaken 
Europe  to  its  very  center,  and  the  first  disaster  to  the 
man  regarded  as  invincible  produced  a  thrilling  sensa 
tion.  Mr.  Barlow,  author  of  some  quite  important  pam 
phlets,  was  sent  to  France  to  observe  affairs,  which  were 
in  a  rather  critical  state.  The  party  clamoring  for  war 
with  England  made  itself  heard  more  loudly.  The  right 
of  search,  the  interference  of  trade,  the  insolent  and 
overbearing  manner  of  England  roused  the  whole 
country. 

Through  all  the  turmoil  Mrs.  Madison  moved  serenely, 
and  if  her  heart  quaked  with  forebodings,  it  was  not  al 
lowed  to  disturb  her  efforts  at  making  Washington  a  so 
cial  center.  Then  her  pretty  widowed  sister,  Mrs.  Wash 
ington,  married  Judge  Todd,  and  so  became  permanently 
settled  in  the  City.  Every  year  saw  a  little  improvement 
made  in  the  Capitol  and  the  President's  mansion.  Streets 
began  to  have  a  more  finished  appearance. 

Jaqueline  was  not  less  a  belle  than  she  had  been  the 
previous  winter.  Arthur  Jettson  was  prospering,  and 
Jane  was  bright  and  gay  in  spite  of  three  babies ;  so  be 
tween  the  two  homes  and  the  outside  world  she  was  kept 
full  of  engagements. 

She  was  rather  surprised  when  Lieutenant  Ralston 
made  her  a  proposal  of  marriage.  The  friendly  feeling 
had  been  so  strong,  and  on  her  part  so  unlike  love,  that 
there  could  be  but  one  answer.  He  did  not  seem  deeply 
disappointed,  but  begged  that  they  might  remain  friends. 

Only  a  few  days  after  she  received  a  note  from  her 
mother.  They  had  been  up  to  the  Pineries,  for  grand- 

208 


A   SMALL   HERO. 

mother  was  quite  poorly  and  went  downstairs  only  to  her 
dinner. 

"  She  misses  the  stir  and  activity  of  being  mistress  of 
the  house,  and  her  son's  ideas  are  different  in  many  re 
spects  from  hers.  But  there  comes  a  time  when  the  old 
must  give  way  and  step  aside  for  the  young.  Marian  is 
devoted  to  her.  I  do  not  know  now  what  your  grand 
mother  would  do  without  her.  Did  you  hear  that  poor 
Mr.  Greaves  is  dead  at  last?  But  it  has  been  a  living 
death  for  six  months  or  more ;  indeed,  he  has  never  had 
his  mind  and  memory  clearly  since  the  first  stroke,  and 
now  for  weeks  he  has  been  barely  conscious.  He  must 
have  had  an  iron  constitution.  I  think  your  grandmother 
is  very  thankful  that  this  happened  before  the  marriage 
rather  than  afterward.  Miss  Greaves  wants  to  close  the 
house,  dispose  of  the  slaves  by  hire  or  leasing,  and  go  to 
England  to  educate  the  children.  Brandon  is  as  bitterly 
opposed  to  war  as  ever  his  father  could  have  been. 
Marian  is  sweet  and  kindly,  but  has  fallen  into  an  apa 
thetic  state.  Dolly  is  prospering,  and  from  all  accounts 
very  gay.  She  has  written  repeatedly  to  Marian.  I  wish 
the  poor  girl  could  make  the  visit.  It  is  sad  to  see  her 
youth  fading  away." 

"  Poor  Marian !  Oh,  Patty,  do  you  remember  our  first 
visit  here?  It  seems  ages  ago,  doesn't  it?  and  so  much 
has  happened.  What  girls  we  were !  " 

"  And  Mr.  Madison  was  inaugurated !  You  went  to  a 
levee.  How  I  did  envy  you !  Now  I  curtsey  to  Mrs. 
Madison  every  day  or  two,  and  gossip  with  Mrs.  Cutts, 
and  am  asked  to  meet  this  one  and  that  one.  Well,  we're 
the  Virginian  part  of  the  Capital,"  laughing.  "  And  how 
you  schemed  for  Marian!  Jaqueline,  you  don't  mean  to 
marry  Lieutenant  Ralston  yourself,  after  all?  Jane  was 
so  afraid  you  might  attract  him." 

"  Oh,  no !  He  seems  just  like  a  brother."  But  she 
209 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

did  not  confess  she  had  answered  the  momentous  ques 
tion.  She  gave  a  great  throb  of  thankfulness.  True,  he 
insisted  that  Marian  had  never  really  loved  him,  and  a 
man  would  be  foolish  enough  to  go  mooning  about  such 
a  woman. 

It  was  June  of  that  year,  after  a  stormy  session  of  Con 
gress,  that  the  word  spread  like  wildfire  through  every 
State,  first  announced  in  the  National  Intelligencer,  that 
war  had  been  declared  against  Great  Britain.  And  on 
June  21  the  strongest  naval  force  the  country  could 
muster,  a  squadron  of  four  warships,  was  fitting  out  at 
Norfolk.  Charleston  was  astir;  New  York,  Boston,  and 
Salem  were  busy  transforming  merchant  vessels  that  had 
lain  idly  at  the  wharves  into  fighting  ships.  Young 
men  hurried  to  Annapolis  and  placed  themselves  in 
training,  for  the  war  must  be  largely  fought  out  on  the 
seas. 

The  efforts  of  England  to  harass  and  break  up  the 
commerce  between  the  United  States  and  other  countries, 
notably  France,  had  exasperated  the  pride  and  sense  of 
justice  of  the  country.  The  war-cry  was  taken  up :  "  Free 
trade  and  the  rights  of  sailors.  America  must  protect 
her  own."  And  although  times  had  been  hard  and  trade 
poor,  out  of  it  had  grown  a  knowledge  of  the  young 
country's  power  and  possibilities.  Now  the  nation  was 
compact  and  had  a  centralized  government.  There  had 
been  many  improvements  since  old  Revolutionary  times, 
and  the  population  had  nearly  doubled. 

Not  that  the  country  was  a  unit  on  this  subject.  The 
Federalists  were  extremely  bitter,  and  denounced  the  war 
as  unnecessary  and  suicidal.  England,  out  of  one  war, 
was  ready  with  her  ripened  experience  to  sweep  us  from 
the  seas.  And  what  then? 

On  the  frontier  the  campaign  opened  badly.  At  the 
disgraceful  surrender  of  Hull  at  Detroit  not  only  was  the 

219 


A   SMALL   HERO. 

commander  blamed  for  treachery  and  cowardice,  but  the 
Cabinet  and  the  President  held  up  to  execration. 

As  an  offset,  naval  victories  suddenly  roused  the  wan 
ing  enthusiasm:  the  Wasp  and  the  Frolic,  the  Hor 
net  and  the  Peacock,  and  the  Constitution's  splendid  es 
cape  from  the  Guerriere,  that  was  to  drive  the  "  insolent 
rag  of  bunting  "  from  the  seas,  the  chase  from  New  York 
to  Boston,  the  brief  fight  of  an  hour  and  a  half,  when  the 
bunting  was  left  to  wave  over  the  wreck,  and  Captain 
Dacres  and  the  part  of  his  crew  not  in  a  watery  grave 
made  prisoners.  No  wonder  Boston  had  a  day  of  re 
joicing  ! 

This  was  followed  by  other  victories.  The  country 
began  to  draw  a  free  breath,  and  the  conquest  on  the  lakes 
crowned  it  with  new  courage  and  rejoicing. 

But  in  the  Capital  a  fierce  battle  was  raging.  Whether 
Madison  should  again  be  the  candidate  and  succeed  him 
self  was  a  hotly  disputed  question.  But  if  the  President 
came  in  for  so  much  animadversion,  it  was  admitted 
that  Mrs.  Madison  bore  herself  with  steady  courage  and 
cheerfulness.  There  was  no  distinction  made  between 
parties  at  her  receptions.  No  one  was  treated  with  cool 
ness  because  he  had  reviled  the  administration.  Perhaps 
it  was  the  charming  courtesy  that  upheld  Mr.  Madison 
through  the  stress  of  the  times. 

Then  Jaqueline  and  Dr.  Collaston  were  summoned  sud 
denly  to  Cedar  Grove.  Charles  had  been  brought  home 
in  a  rather  alarming  condition.  There  had  been  spells  of 
fainting  and  headaches  that  were  thought  to  come  from 
overstudy,  and  at  last  Uncle  Conway  was  seriously 
alarmed,  and  sent  the  boy  home  in  the  care  of  a  trusty 
slave  and  an  old  mammy.  He  was  very  much  exhausted 
by  the  journey,  and  Dr.  Collaston  saw  at  once  that  it  was 
something  more  serious  than  overwork. 

"  But  I'll  be  sure  to  get  well,  won't  I  ?  "  he  asked  wist- 

211 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

fully.  "  There  is  so  much  going  on,  and  so  much  to  do 
and  to  learn  in  this  big  world.  How  grand  it  is !  And 
if  we  should  beat  England  again,  wouldn't  it  be  magnifi 
cent  ?  Do  you  feel  sure  that  we  will  ?  " 

"  Never  mind  the  war.  Tell  me  when  the  headaches 
began.  And  the  pain  in  your  back.  You  used  to  be 
such  a  bright,  healthy  little  lad.  Did  you  take  enough 
exercise  ?  " 

There  was  a  faint  flush  creeping  over  the  pale  face,  and 
the  eyes  looked  out  on  the  distance  as  if  taxing  his 
memory,  but  instead  he  was  trying  to  elude  a  curious 
consciousness. 

"  The  headaches  ?  Oh,  I  used  to  have  them  sometimes 
at  home.  They're  girlish  things,  and  it  doesn't  seem  as 
if  boys  ought  to  fret  over  them,"  with  a  touch  of  dis 
dain. 

"  And  you  haven't  been  trying  your  strength  leaping 
over  five-barred  gates  or  jumping  ditches,  or  perhaps 
riding  too  much  ?  " 

"  I  had  my  pony,  you  know,  but  I  didn't  ride  very 
much.  And  latterly  it  seemed  to  take  away  my  strength. 
Aunt  Catharine  was  sure  it  hurt  me,  and  then  I  didn't 
ride  at  all.  So  I  left  it  for  the  children  and  Varina. 
Aunt  Catharine  was  wonderfully  kind,  but  she  isn't  quite 
like  mamma,  and  father  is  so  good  and  strong.  I'm 
going  to  get  well  now.  I  think  I  was  homesick  too,  and 
that's  babyish  for  a  great  boy.  How  Louis  would  laugh 
at  me!" 

But  no  one  laughed.  Everybody  spoke  hopefully,  to 
be  sure,  and  treated  the  matter  lightly.  Annis  read  to 
him,  but  he  sometimes  stopped  her  and  said :  "  Tell  me 
about  your  visit  to  Patty.  Doesn't  it  seem  funny  to  have 
Patty  among  the  big  people  and  going  to  the  White 
House  to  dinner?  Why  do  you  suppose  Jacky  didn't 
marry  Mr.  Carrington?  I  like  him  so  much." 

212 


A   SMALL   HERO. 

Then  it  was  the  old  Froissart,  with  the  queer  pic 
tures,  or  the  war  news.  The  young  people  around  came 
in,  the  boys  ruddy,  laughing,  and  sunburned.  The  little 
darkies  did  their  funniest  tricks  and  sang  songs  for  young 
mas'r;  but  though  he  seemed  a  little  stronger,  he  did  not 
get  well.  It  had  not  been  altogether  the  hard  study. 

"  You  are  quite  sure  you  can't  remember  any  fall 
down  there  at  Williamsburg  ?  "  the  doctor  queried. 

"  Oh,  I  might  have  had  little  tumbles ;  boys  often  do," 
he  said  with  an  air  of  indifference.  "  But  nothing  to 
hurt." 

He  caught  a  look  on  the  face  of  Annis,  who  was  stand 
ing  by  the  window  idly  drumming  with  her  fingers  on  the 
sill,  and  frowned. 

"What  was  that  for?"  The  doctor  intercepted  the 
glance,  and  looked  from  one  to  the  other. 

"  Please  don't  drum,  Annis,"  he  said  gently.  "  Did 
I  frown  ? "  to  the  doctor. 

Dr.  Collaston  studied  him  sharply. 

"If  you  young  people  have  any  secret  that  bears  on 
the  case,  you'd  better  reveal  it.  Working  in  the  dark 
isn't  always  advisable.  Annis,  why  do  you  change 
color?" 

Annis  flushed  deeply  now,  and  her  eyelids  quivered  as 
if  tears  were  not  far  away. 

"  Let  Annis  alone,"  said  the  boy  in  as  gruff  a  tone 
as  so  gentle  a  voice  could  assume.  "  I  suppose  we 
did  both  think  of  one  thing  when  you  so  insisted 
upon  a  fall.  It  was  a  long  while  ago,  before  I 
went  to  school.  We  were  down  by  the  creek.  I 
was  on  Sam,  who  had  been  drinking  and  wad 
ing  in  the  stream.  He  turned  to  step  out,  and  a 
stone  rolled  and  he  stumbled.  I  went  over  his  head,  as 
I  didn't  have  the  rein  in  my  hand.  It  knocked  the  breath 
out  of  me  for  a  moment.  But  I  had  been  tumbled  off  be- 

313 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

fore,  when  I  was  learning  to  ride,  and  that  really  didn't 
— wasn't  of  much  account,  only  Annis  was  so  frightened. 
Now  shall  I  go  further  back  and  tell  you  of  all  the  down 
falls  I  have  had?  I  wasn't  very  daring — Annis,  wasn't 
I  something  of  a  babyish  boy  ?  " 

"  No,  you  were  not."    Annis  smiled  a  little  then. 

"How  did  he  fall?" 

Annis  could  not  recall  that. 

"After  a  little  I  walked  home.  No,  I  wasn't  much 
hurt.  I  had  a  lame  thumb,  I  remember;  but  afterward 
there  used  to  come  what  Phillis  calls  a  '  misery '  in  my 
back.  The  headaches  did  not  come  until  in  the 
winter." 

The  doctor  nodded. 

"  But  I'm  bound  to  get  well,"  added  the  boy.  "  I  don't 
want  to  die.  I  should  have  to  be  dead  such  a  long,  long 
while." 

The  doctor  laughed.  "  No,  we're  not  going  to  have 
you  die.  That  is  the  least  of  the  trouble.  But  you  may 
be  an  invalid  quite  a  while." 

"  I  shouldn't  even  mind  that,  if  I  could  study  some.  I 
hate  to  fall  behind.  And,  you  see,  father  is  so  proud  of 
Louis  that  I  couldn't  bear  people  saying  about  me  '  Poor 
Charles ! '  in  a  pitying  way." 

"  We  won't  even  have  them  saying  that,"  was  the  con 
fident  answer,  as  he  went  out  to  add  a  note  to  the  memo 
randa  he  had  made  of  the  case. 

Charles  held  out  his  hand  to  Annis,  who  came  over  and 
gave  it  a  little  convulsive  clasp. 

"  Girls  are  queer,"  he  said  in  a  soft,  slow  tone  that 
had  no  reproach  in  it.  "  And  Dr.  Collaston  turned  you 
inside  out.  I  do  suppose  doctors  know  pretty  generally 
what  is  going  on  inside  of  your  body,  and  sometimes  they 
guess  what  is  in  your  brain,  or  your  mind,  or  whatever 
thinks.  I  was  so  afraid  he'd  get  it  all  out  of  you !  " 

214 


A   SMALL   HERO. 

"  Oh,  do  you  think  it  was  that?  "  Annis'  eyes  over 
flowed,  and  he  could  feel  the  quiver  of  her  fingers. 

"  There — don't  cry.  It  wasn't  your  fault.  It  wasn't 
even  Varina's  fault.  Sam  would  have  turned  and  gone 
out,  anyhow.  And  you  can't  think  how  nice  Varina  is 
growing — pretty,  too.  I  am  sure  it  vexed  her  a  good 
deal  to  think  she  was  not  as  pretty  as  the  older  girls,  or 
even  you.  You're  so  fair  and  sweet,  with  your  clouds 
of  light  hair  and  your  skin  that  looks  like  transparent 
pearl.  You  know  she  was  very  sorry." 

"  Oh,  we  both  thought  you  were  dead !  "  Annis  tried 
hard  not  to  sob. 

"  Boys  take  a  good  deal  of  killing.  You  see,  I  wasn't 
anywhere  near  dead.  But  I  did  give  my  back  a  hard 
wrench,  and  I  felt  it  for  a  week  or  two,  then  it  all  went 
away ;  and  it  was  somewhere  about  the  holidays — we  were 
getting  greens  for  the  church,  and  I  fainted  dead  away. 
After  that  the  ache  came  back.  It's  dull  and  aggravat 
ing,  not  a  sharp  pain  that  makes  you  feel  as  if  you  could 
get  up  and  fight,  but  sometimes  you  are  wild  to  run  away, 
to  the  very  ends  of  the  earth !  Then  it  would  creep  up 
to  my  head  like  some  stealthy  thing  you  couldn't  put 
your  finger  on.  Aunt  Catharine  was  good,  but  she  fussed 
so  much,  and  she's  always  saying,  '  Now,  don't  you  think 
you  ought  to  do  this,  or  give  up  doing  that?  I'm  sure  it 
hurts  you.'  And  wanting  to  find  out  the  cause  of  every 
thing  and  settle  it  on  some  particular  point.  It's  queer 
that  Rene  should  get  along  so  well ;  you  know  she  has  a 
fractious  temper !  But  the  little  girls  just  adore  her,  and 
at  home  she  was  teased  a  good  deal." 

He  leaned  back  on  the  pillow,  and  his  face  was  very 
white. 

"  Oh,  you  are  so  tired !  "  cried  Annis. 

"  Yes.  I  have  just  a  little  bit  to  say,  then  you  may 
read  to  me.  I  don't  want  anything  said  about  Varina. 

215 


'A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

She  would  be  almost  killed  if  she  thought  she  was  to 
blame  for  it.  And  she  wasn't,  you  know.  That  little 
splash  in  Sam's  face  wasn't  anything.  He  enjoyed  hav 
ing  a  bucket  of  water  thrown  over  him.  He's  almost  a 
water  dog,"  laughing. 

Annis  tried  to  be  convinced.  If  Varina  had  not  per 
sisted  when  Charles  asked  her  to  stop !  But,  then,  Sam 
had  stepped  on  a  rolling  stone. 

"  That's  just  a  little  bit  between  ourselves,  not  to  be 
talked  about,  for  it  can't  do  any  good,  and  would  make 
Rene  so  very  unhappy,  now  when  she's  growing  sweeter. 
I've  thought  I  ought  to  tell  the  doctor,  but  I  didn't  want 
to  believe  the  fall  had  anything  to  do  with  it.  Whatever 
happens,  you  will  always  love  me,  Annis  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  bending  over  to  kiss  the  white  forehead,  her 
heart  full  of  sympathy  and  dread  for  an  unknown  future. 

"  And  Jack's  so  lovely !  Only  I'm  awful  sorry  she 
didn't  marry  Mr.  Carrington.  Patty  and  her  husband 
are  so  happy,  so  are  mother  and  father.  There,  I .  am 
tired.  Get  a  book  and  read.  That  about  Uncle  Toby, 
who  had  such  a  big,  sweet,  foolish  heart." 

The  children  had  a  great  way  of  picking  out  parts  they 
liked  and  skipping  the  rest. 

Then  Dr.  Collaston  had  to  go  up  to  Washington  for  a 
week  or  two,  and  sent  for  Jaqueline  also.  For  Patty  had 
a  little  baby  girl,  and  they  all  laughed  merrily  about  be 
ing  uncles  and  aunts.  What  was  happening  to  the  coun 
try  was  a  minor  consideration. 

When  the  doctor  came  down  again  he  had  a  well-di 
gested  plan. 

"  If  it  wasn't  for  running  the  risk  on  the  ocean  I  should 
say  take  the  boy  over  to  London  at  once  and  have  the 
best  medical  skill  there.  But  there  are  some  excellent 
physicians  in  Philadelphia  and  New  York.  Old  Dr. 
Rush  does  little  in  practicing  now,  but  he  is  still  ready 

216 


A   SMALL   HERO. 

and  generous  with  advice.  You  know,  I  am  young  in 
the  profession,  and  as  yet  we  cannot  boast  much  medical 
talent  in  our  young  city.  Let  Mrs.  Mason  stay  with  him 
three  months  or  so,  and  have  the  best  treatment.  I  think 
it  quite  a  serious  matter." 

Mr.  Mason  was  aghast  at  first. 

"  He  is  so  young  now,  and  the  injury  may  not  be  as  bad 
as  I  anticipated;  but  it  will  need  excellent  skill  to  take 
him  through  without  leaving  permanent  marks  and  much 
suffering.  So  it  had  better  be  attended  to  at  once." 

Jaqueline  was  alarmed  at  the  seriousness  of  the  case. 
If  she  could  go 

"  No ;  it  must  be  some  person  of  experience,  and  one 
whom  Charles  loves  and  trusts  and  would  obey.  He  will 
make  a  good  patient,  for  he  is  anxious  to  get  well;  and 
though  he  does  not  whisper  such  a  thing,  he  has  an  awful 
fear  of  deformity " 

"  Oh,  you  do  not  think "  in  a  tremulous  tone. 

"  Hush !  I  have  mentioned  it  to  no  one  but  your  par 
ents.  It  is  not  to  be  discussed.  It  is  a  spinal  trouble, 
and  that  covers  the  ground.  And  he  must  have  immedi 
ate  care.  You  and  Annis  will  come  with  us,  for  it  would 
be  too  lonely  to  have  you  here  on  the  plantation,  even  if 
your  father  is  back  and  forth." 

Mrs.  Mason  discussed  the  plans  with  Jaqueline  at  once, 
and  the  girl  was  full  of  the  warmest  sympathy. 

"  If  we  could  take  Annis !  but  the  doctor  thinks  it 
would  be  bad  for  the  child,  and  an  added  care." 

"  Oh,  mamma,  you  may  trust  her  with  me !  I  am  not 
as  gay  and  volatile  as  I  was  a  year  ago,  nor  so  frivolous." 

"  She  ought  to  go  to  school !      Perhaps  in  the  fall " 

"  Mamma,  that  suggests  something.  A  Madame 
Badeau,  a  very  charming  French  refugee,  has  started  a 
school  for  children  and  young  ladies  just  a  short  distance 
from  the  doctor's.  She  is  trying  to  get  scholars  enough 

217 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

to  insure  her  support.  And  she  teaches  the  pianoforte. 
It  is  quite  coming  into  vogue  since  Mrs.  Madison  makes 
so  much  of  the  grand  one  at  the  White  House,  where 
ladies  are  often  asked  to  play.  Annis  is  such  a  little 
home  girl  that  she  would  be  very  unhappy  away.  We  all 
love  her  so  dearly.  And  I  will  look  after  her  clothes, 
and  the  doctor  after  her  health,  and  Patty  and  the  baby 
will  be  so  much  entertainment.  Patty  is  making  a  very 
charming  woman,  and  much  admired,"  said  the  elder  sis 
ter  heartily. 

"  That  is  an  admirable  plan,  and  you  are  kind  to  take 
so  much  interest  in  the  child.  It  relieves  me  of  consid 
erable  anxiety,  and  she  has  run  wild  long  enough,  though 
she  has  picked  up  an  odd  conglomeration  of  knowledge 
from  Charles.  I  know  your  father  will  be  glad  and 
thankful." 

"  To  let  you  go  quite  away — to  stay !  "  ejaculated  An 
nis,  when  she  heard  of  the  plan.  "  Mamma,  I  have  given 
up  part  of  you  a  good  many  times,  but  I  can't  give  up 
all,"  and  the  soft  lips  quivered.  "  Why  can  I  not  go  ?  I 
will  be  very  good,  and  not  make  any  trouble.  And  I 
could  help  you  with  Charles,  and  read  to  him.  He  is  so 
fond  of  me." 

"  It  would  not  be  possible  to  take  you,  dear,"  she  re 
plied  tenderly.  "  You  would  add  to  my  care.  The  doc 
tor  thinks  this  plan  the  best,  the  only  one." 

Annis  clung  to  her  mother.  "  Philadelphia  is  ever  so 
much  farther  than  Baltimore !  "  she  cried  despairingly. 
"  And — you  are  my  mother !  " 

"  But,  if  Charles  should  be  ill  a  long  while !  And  think 
how  lonesome  he  would  be  with  just  a  nurse!  You  can 
write  quite  well,  and  you  can  send  me  letters  about  every 
thing.  Jaqueline  knows  of  a  delightful  school  you  can 
go  to.  It  is  time  you  were  learning  something,  as  well  as 
Varina.  There,  dear,  don't  make  it  harder  for  me." 

218 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

Annis  was  crying  on  her  mother's  shoulder.  She  had 
thought  a  three-  or  four-days'  separation  very  hard — 
how  would  she  stand  weeks  and  months?  To  be  sure, 
they  all  loved  her  mother,  and  Charles  was  especially 
fond  of  her ;  but,  after  all,  she  was  her  mother. 

Then  Mr.  Mason  came  in,  but  for  once  she  would  not 
sit  on  his  knee  nor  listen  to  his  bright  predictions. 

At  first  Charles  refused  utterly  to  go  without  Annis. 
He  was  sure  she  couldn't  be  in  the  way.  He  loved 
mamma  very  much,  but  he  had  found  it  lonely  at  school 
without  Annis  to  tell  things  over  to.  She  was  different 
from  the  other  girls — and,  then,  they  were  grown  women, 
except  Varina;  and  he  could  not  stand  it  without  her. 

"  I  want  to  get  well  and  grow  up  to  manhood,  and  then 
none  of  you  shall  take  her  away  from  me !  "  he  cried. 

Mrs.  Mason  gave  a  soft  sigh,  hoping  he  would  have  no 
greater  heartache  in  the  days  to  come. 

Dr.  Collaston  finally  persuaded  him  that  this  would  be 
the  best  arrangement,  as  quiet  and  a  darkened  room 
might  be  necessary.  "  And  it  would  be  like  keeping  her 
a  prisoner,"  he  said.  "  Her  mother  could  not  take  her 
out,  and  she  could  not  go  about  a  strange  city  alone,  so  it 
would  be  rather  selfish  to  ask  so  much  of  her." 

"  And  I  don't  mean  to  be  selfish.  If  you  all  think  so, 
it  must  be  right ;  but  I  am  sorry,  all  the  same." 

"  You  may  get  home  by  Christmas,"  the  doctor  said 
hopefully. 

CHAPTER   XVI. 

IN    OLD    WASHINGTON. 

'""pHERE  were  many  arrangements  to  make.     Only  Mr. 

and  Mrs.  Mason  knew  how  really  serious  the  case 

might  be,  and  Mrs.  Mason  felt  that  she  could  not  accept 

219 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

the  responsibility  alone.  Dixon,  the  overseer,  was  a 
good  manager  and  a  trusty  man,  and  his  wife  a  very 
efficient  woman.  Indeed,  the  older  house  slaves  could 
have  run  the  place  without  supervision,  but  it  was  well  to 
have  a  responsible  head.  Louis  would  come  down  now 
and  then  and  inspect  the  financial  affairs,  and  bring  Jaque- 
line  occasionally.  It  would  not  be  quite  like  going  to 
London,  and  Mr.  Mason  might  return  if  really  needed. 

So  they  packed  up  and  put  things  in  order,  and  went  up 
to  Washington  to  settle  Annis.  Charles  seemed  really 
stronger,  but  the  doctor  knew  it  was  only  excitement. 
Patty's  house  was  so  pretty  and  the  office  so  handy,  the 
boy  did  not  see  why  he  could  not  remain  with  her. 

The  house  was  quite  fine  for  the  times.  Land  was 
abundant,  and  houses  did  not  have  to  crowd.  There 
were  spacious  rooms,  for  people  were  hospitably  inclined. 
Southern  women  made  charming  hostesses.  In  an  ell 
part  the  doctor  had  an  office,  for  he  was  quite  ambitious 
in  his  profession,  if  he  had  one  eye  on  the  advance 
ment  of  the  City.  He  had  rented  one  of  his  houses,  and 
another  was  likely  to  be  sold. 

There  were  people  who  shook  their  heads  dubiously 
and  feared  an  invasion ;  others  reasoned  there  was  so 
little  prospect  of  booty  in  Washington  compared  to  the 
commercial  cities,  there  could  be  no  possible  danger. 

Jaqueline  had  a  pretty  corner  room.  Opening  into  it 
was  a  smaller  one  devoted  to  Annis,  with  its  dainty  bed 
curtained  with  white  muslin  and  fringe  that  nodded  in 
the  slightest  breeze.  The  floor  was  painted,  and  a  rug 
made  by  the  slaves  at  home  lay  at  the  bedside.  Grand 
mother  had  sent  Patty  the  mahogany  furnishing  of  one 
room  that  she  had  brought  from  the  Mason  house  when 
she  was  married,  and  it  was  quite  an  heirloom.  This 
was  in  Jaqueline's  room. 

The   baby   went   far   toward   reconciling   Annis.    A 

220 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

pretty,  plump  little  thing,  with  great  dark  eyes  and  a 
fringe  of  dark  hair  over  a  white  forehead,  she  looked 
like  a  picture.  Judy,  one  of  the  slaves  from  home,  was 
her  nurse. 

Yet  the  parting  was  very  hard  for  Annis.  The  doc 
tor  had  taken  Charles  in  his  own  carriage.  They  were 
to  go  to  Baltimore  and  rest  a  day  or  two  and  visit  some 
of  the  connections. 

Annis  felt  at  first  as  if  she  must  be  visiting. 

"  And  do  you  remember  we  came  up  to  Mr.  Madison's 
inauguration  and  went  to  the  Capitol  ?  It  seems  as  if  it 
must  have  been  years  and  years  ago,  so  many  things  have 
happened  since  then.  And  everybody  seems  grown  up 
except  Charles  and  I." 

"  You  were  a  tiny  little  girl  then.  I  hope  you  will  not 
be  very  homesick ;  there  are  so  many  things  to  see.  And 
when  the  horses  are  sent  up  we  can  take  beautiful  rides." 

Annis  swallowed  over  a  lump  in  her  throat. 

"  The  baby  will  grow  and  be  very  cunning.  And  every 
week  you  are  to  write  to  mamma." 

"  And  to  Charles.  I  am  not  to  mind  not  getting  an 
swers  from  him;  it  makes  his  head  ache  to  write." 

"  And,  then,  there  are  the  children  at  Aunt  Jane's. 
Her  baby  talks  everything  in  the  funniest  crooked  fash 
ion.  To-morrow  we  will  call  on  Madame  Badeau.  I 
hope  you  will  like  school.  It  is  only  in  the  morning." 

"  I  am  fond  of  learning  things  if  they  are  not  too 
hard." 

"  Some  of  us  have  to  learn  quite  hard  lessons,"  and 
Jaqueline  sighed. 

Madame  Badeau  lived  in  a  rather  shabby-looking  rough 
stone  house,  quite  small  in  the  front,  but  plenty  large 
enough  for  her  and  a  serving-man  and  maid,  and  run 
ning  back  to  a  pretty  garden,  where  she  cultivated  all 
manner  of  beautiful  flowers,  and  such  roses  that  lovers 

221 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

of  them  were  always  begging  a  slip  or  piece  of  root. 
There  was  a  parlor  in  the  front  filled  with  the  relics  of 
better  days,  and  draped  with  faded  Oriental  fabrics  that 
were  the  envy  of  some  richer  people.  There  was  always 
a  curiously  fragrant  perfume  in  it.  Next  was  the  school 
room,  entered  by  a  side  door,  where  there  were  small 
tables  in  lieu  of  desks,  wooden  chairs,  and  a  painted  floor 
that  the  maid  mopped  up  freshly  every  afternoon  when 
the  children  were  gone.  Back  of  this  were  the  living 
room  and  a  very  tiny  kitchen,  while  upstairs  were  two 
rooms  under  the  peaked  roof,  where  Madame  and  Bath- 
sheba  slept. 

Madame  was  small,  with  a  fair  skin  full  of  fine  wrin 
kles.  She  wrore  a  row  of  curls  across  her  forehead, 
a  loosely  wound,  soft  white  turban  that  gave  her  a  curi 
ous  dignity,  and  very  high  heels  that  made  a  little  click 
as  she  went  around.  She  was  quite  delicate,  and  had  ex 
quisite  hands,  and  wore  several  curious  rings.  Her  voice 
was  so  finely  modulated  that  it  was  like  a  strain  of  music, 
and  she  still  used  a  good  many  French  words.  She  had 
been  at  the  French  court  and  seen  the  great  Franklin 
and  many  other  notables,  and  had  to  fly  in  the  Reign 
of  Terror,  with  the  loss  of  friends  and  most  of  her 
fortune. 

Bathsheba,  the  maid,  was  nearly  six  feet  tall,  and  proud 
of  some  Indian  blood  that  gave  her  straight  hair  and  an 
almost  Grecian  nose.  She  was  proud  of  her  mistress  too, 
and  was  in  herself  a  bodyguard  when  Madame  went  out. 
The  old  man  who  kept  the  garden  clean  and  did  outside 
work  was  a  slave  too  old  for  severe  labor,  and  was 
hired  out  for  a  trifle.  At  night  he  went  home  to  sleep  at 
the  cabin  of  a  grandchild. 

Annis  was  attracted  at  once  by  the  soft  voice  that  ended 
a  sentence  with  a  sort  of  caressing  cadence.  And  when 
Jaqueline  wrote  her  name  in  full  Madame  said : 

222 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

"  Bouvier.  That  is  French.  Your  mamma's  maiden 
name,  perhaps  ?  " 

"  No,"  returned  Annis,  with  a  little  color.  "  It  was 
my  own  papa,  who  is  dead.  And  he  could  read  and  talk 
French.  I  knew  a  little,  but  I  was  so  young  when  he 
died." 

"  And  our  father  married  Mrs.  Bouvier  some  years 
ago,"  said  Jaqueline,  "  so  Annis  and  five  of  us  Mason  chil 
dren  constitute  the  family.  Mrs.  Bouvier  was  cousin  to 
our  own  mother." 

"  I  shall  take  great  pleasure  in  teaching  you  French. 
Poor  France  has  had  much  to  suffer.  And  now  that  de 
testable  Corsican  is  on  the  throne,  with  no  drop  of  royal 
blood  in  his  veins !  but  you  can  tell  what  he  thinks  of  it 
when  he  divorces  a  good  and  honorable  woman  that  his 
son  may  inherit  his  rank.  But  my  nation  did  not  take 
kindly  to  a  republic.  They  are  not  like  you,"  shaking  her 
turbaned  head. 

The  distance  to  school  was  not  great,  so  in  fair  weather 
it  was  a  nice  walk.  Now  the  place  is  all  squares  and  cir 
cles  and  rows  of  beautiful  houses,  but  then  people  almost 
wondered  at  the  venturesomeness  of  Dr.  Collaston  and 
Mr.  Jettson  building  houses  in  country  ways;  for  al 
though  streets  were  laid  out  and  named,  there  was  little 
paving.  The  Mason  tract  was  on  Virginia  Avenue,  but 
the  others  had  gone  back  of  the  Executive  Mansion,  on 
high  ground,  and  had  a  fine  view  of  the  whole  country; 
and  Georgetown  being  already  attractive,  it  seemed  pos 
sible  the  space  between  would  soon  be  in  great  demand. 

Out  beyond  them  were  some  fine  old  mansions  be 
longing  to  the  time  of  plantations  and  country  settle 
ments.  The  very  last  of  the  preceding  century  the  Con 
vent  of  the  Visitation  had  been  erected,  for  so  many  of 
the  Maryland  gentry  were  Roman  Catholics.  There  was 
a  school  for  girls  here,  mostly  boarding  scholars. 

223 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Then  Rock  Creek  stretched  way  up  on  the  heights, 
threading  its  path  in  and  out  of  plantations  where  fields 
were  dotted  with  slaves  at  their  work,  often  singing 
songs  with  the  soft  monotonous  refrain  that  suggested  the 
rhythm  of  the  distant  ocean.  Occasionally  you  met  a 
silvery  lake  that  bosomed  waving  shadows;  then 
stretches  of  gigantic  oaks,  somber  pines,  and  hemlocks; 
and  now  and  then  a  little  nest  of  Indian  wigwams  whose 
inhabitants  preferred  quasi-civilization. 

To  the  southeast,  on  the  Anacostia  River,  was  the  navy 
yard,  active  enough  now.  And  there  was  Duddington 
Manor,  with  its  high  wall  and  stately  trees  overtopping 
it,  built  by  Charles  Carroll,  to  be  for  a  long  while  a 
famous  landmark  in  solitary  grandeur.  But  the  Van 
Ness  mansion,  nearer  the  Potomac,  was  always  alight, 
and  often  strains  of  music  floated  out  on  the  night  air  to 
the  enjoyment  of  the  passer-by. 

Annis  had  been  living  in  a  kind  of  old  world,  peopled 
with  the  heroes  of  Homer,  the  knights  of  Arthur,  and  the 
pilgrims  of  Chaucer,  as  well  as  Spenser's  "  Faerie 
Queene."  She  had  a  confused  idea  that  Pope's  garden 
was  in  some  of  these  enchanted  countries,  and  that  Ben 
Jonson  and  Shakspere  were  among  the  pilgrims  who 
sang  songs  and  told  tales  as  they  traveled  on,  or  stopped 
at  the  roadside  and  acted  a  play.  Charles  had  learned 
where  to  place  his  heroes  and  who  of  them  all  were  real. 

Annis  left  the  realm  of  imagination  and  fancy  and 
came  down  to  actual  study.  At  first  she  did  not  like  it. 

*'  But  you  must  know  something  about  modern  events," 
declared  Jaqueline,  "  to  read  well  and  write  a  nice  letter ; 
and  to  understand  the  history  of  our  own  country,  which 
is  all  real.  And  to  keep  accounts — every  housekeeper 
ought  to  be  able  to  do  that.  Grandmamma  had  to  look 
after  the  big  plantation  until  papa  came  of  age ;  and  wo 
men  have  to  do  a  good  many  different  things." 

224 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

"  I  think  I  shall  like  learning  them,  or  most  of  them," 
and  Annis'  eyes  shone. 

"  There  is  dancing,  too ;  you  must  go  in  a  class  next 
winter.  You  can  embroider  nicely,  so  you  needn't  bother 
about  that.  And  I  have  been  in  a  painting  class  where 
there  were  some  quite  small  girls.  Some  ladies  paint 
fans  and  flower  pieces  beautifully.  And  Patty  thinks  she 
will  have  a  pianoforte,  which  would  be  delightful.  Sing 
ing  classes  are  in  vogue,  too." 

"  Oh,  dear,  can  one  learn  so  much  ?  "  and  the  child 
looked  perplexed. 

"  You  do  not  have  to  learn  it  all  at  once,"  returned  the 
elder  with  a  smile. 

Very  few  people  had  any  thought  of  vacations  then. 
True,  Washington  had  a  dull  spell  when  Congress  was 
not  in  session,  and  some  of  the  people  retired  to  country 
places  or  went  to  the  Eastern  Shore  of  Maryland,  or  to 
Bladensburg  to  drink  medicated  waters.  But  Madame 
Badeau  kept  her  school  going  from  eight  to  twelve  for 
the  children's  classes.  They  were  all  composed  of  girls, 
for  while  Madame  admired  well-bred  young  men  very 
much,  she  could  not  tolerate  growing  boys.  The  after 
noons  were  devoted  to  what  were  called  fancy  branches. 
Young  women  came  to  learn  embroidery  and  lace-making, 
the  duties  on  foreign  goods  were  so  high,  and  now  the 
risk  of  importing  was  so  great. 

There  began  to  be  a  different  feeling  about  educa 
tion.  Intelligent  women  were  coming  to  the  fore.  To 
be  sure,  science  was  considered  unwomanly,  but  hand 
some  and  well-bred  Mrs.  Gallatin  knew  enough  on  many 
subjects  to  entertain  her  husband's  guests  charmingly. 
Everybody  would  have  been  horrified  at  the  thought  of  a 
woman's  college,  and  if  a  woman's  convention  had  been 
announced  it  would  have  created  more  indignation  than 
the  war  was  raising. 

225 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Yet  women  with  but  few  early  advantages  went  to 
Madame  Badeau  to  be  trained  in  conversation  and  the  art 
of  writing  polite  notes,  and  some  who  had  a  facility  for 
verse-making  to  learn  how  an  acrostic  was  put  together, 
or  an  anagram,  and  the  proper  fashion  for  congratula 
tory  verses.  A  few  women  poets  had  appeared,  but  the 
French  "  blue  stockings  "  were  quoted  in  derision.  Still, 
it  had  occurred  to  other  women  beside  Mrs.  Adams  that 
the  mothers  of  sons  trained  for  perilous  times  needed  to 
be  intelligent,  at  least. 

For  the  first  time  Annis  was  thrown  with  a  variety  of 
girls  near  her  own  age.  None  of  them  were  like  Varina 
— but,  then,  they  were  not  like  each  other.  How  strange 
there  should  be  so  many  different  kinds  of  people  in  the 
world!  It  amazed  her. 

Jaqueline  was  much  interested  in  her  unfolding.  There 
was  a  delicious  quaintness  about  her  that  contact  with 
Madame  Badeau  brought  out.  She  had  some  very  clear 
ideas  too,  and  there  was  so  much  to  write  about. 

"  I  shall  have  to  send  a  letter  to  mamma  one  week  and 
to  Charles  the  next,"  she  said  sagely.  "  Then  I  shall  not 
tell  the  same  things  over." 

"  That  is  an  excellent  idea.  You  are  a  bright  little 
girl,"  returned  Jaqueline  with  a  smile. 

"  And  it  will  save  my  own  time.  Jaqueline,  can't  we 
go  to  Washington  some  time  and  really  see  it?  One 
of  the  girls  called  me  a  country  lass  because  I  did  not 
know  about  the  streets  and  the  way  everything  ran.  And 
how  queer  they  should  be  named  after  the  letters  and 
numbers!  What  will  they  do  when  the  letters  are  ex 
hausted? — and  there  are  but  twenty-six." 

"  There  are  the  numbers,  you  know." 

"  But  the  numbers  run  criss-cross.  Do  you  suppose 
they  will  go  on  as  we  work  a  sampler,  make  little  letters 
and  then  Old-English  text  ?  One  girl  has  the  most  beau- 

226 


IN   OLD  WASHINGTON. 

tiful  Old-English  alphabet  worked  in  red  silk,  but  it  is 
very  hard  to  tell  the  letters." 

Jaqueline  laughed.  "  No !  I  think  they  will  take  names 
then." 

"  They  make  up  parties  and  go  to  Analostan  Island. 
And,  do  you  know,  there  are  beautiful  falls  up  the  Po 
tomac,  ever  so  far !  " 

"  Yes ;  they  are  beautiful,  indeed ;  and  we  will  get  the 
doctor  to  take  us  up  some  time." 

"  Everything  is  so  " — glancing  around  for  a  word — 
"  so  interesting.  And  there  are  so  many  people.  I  like 
it  very  much.  Only  if  we  could  have  mamma  and  Charles 
and  papa!  Then,  it  would  be  mean  to  crowd  out 
Varina." 

"  We'll  have  the  whole  household  at  Christmas." 

Louis  was  very  much  interested  in  the  surprise  and 
pleasure  over  everything,  and  he  found  Annis  quite  a 
delightful  companion  for  walks.  She  was  so  eager  to 
hear  about  the  founding  of  the  City. 

"  It  has  only  come  of  age,"  said  Louis.  "  For  the  cor 
nerstone  was  laid  in  1793." 

"  And  there  are  cities  in  Europe  over  a  thousand  years 
old !  Oh,  what  an  old  world  it  must  be !  " 

"  But  we  are  a  new  country  altogether.  Then,  we  have 
much  older  cities." 

"  After  all,"  she  said  reflectively,  "  the  ground  was 
here.  And  some  of  the  houses  and  the  people." 

They  were  still  working  on  the  Capitol.  Stonecutters 
and  marble-dressers  in  their  little  sheds  were  a  common 
sight. 

A  great  many  people  went  to  Christ  Church,  which  had 
been  erected  soon  after  the  laying  out  of  the  City.  Then 
there  was  old  St.  Paul's,  that  had  stood  nearly  a  century, 
built,  as  many  other  places  were,  of  brick  brought  from 
England.  Since  that  day  many  a  secret  had  been  learned, 

227 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

and  during  the  last  three  years  the  United  States  had 
manufactured  largely,  though  many  people  sighed  for 
foreign  goods. 

There  were  two  weeks  in  August  when  Madame  Ba- 
deau  went  away  for  a  little  rest  and  change  of  air.  Mrs. 
Collaston  decided  to  spend  a  fortnight  at  Bladensburg, 
and  though  Aunt  Jane  cheerfully  offered  to  keep  Annis, 
Jaqueline  insisted  upon  adding  her  to  the  party.  Little 
Elizabeth  Patricia,  commonly  called  Bessie,  and  by  her 
father  Queen  Bess,  was  thriving  wonderfully. 

Jaqueline  had  changed  a  good  deal,  but  she  was  a 
greater  favorite  than  ever,  it  seemed,  and  had  no  end  of 
admirers.  One  of  them,  a  very  popular  and  well-to-do 
gentleman,  made  her  an  offer  of  marriage. 

"  Are  you  really  going  to  stay  single  forever  ?  "  ex 
claimed  her  sister.  "  I  wouldn't  take  Roger  Carrington 
now  if  he  asked  me  again.  A  man  who  cannot  overlook 
a  little  tiff — though  you  did  flirt  shamefully,  Jaqueline! 
But  it  doesn't  much  matter.  I  observe  the  men  are  just 
as  ready  to  be  flirted  with  again.  Only  don't  wait  too 
long,  and  don't  pass  by  the  good  chances." 

Having  made  an  excellent  marriage  herself,  she  con 
sidered  that  her  counsel  and  advice  were  worth  a  good 
deal  to  her  unmarried  friends. 

Roger  Carrington  seemed  to  have  passed  out  of  Jaque- 
line's  radius,  whether  purposely  or  not.  Ralston  spent 
much  of  his  time  out  of  Washington,  inspecting  and 
planning  fortifications.  Jaqueline  kept  up  a  friendly,  oc 
casional  correspondence  with  him,  and  he  had  been 
strongly  interested  about  Charles'  mishap. 

She  was  much  too  proud  to  allow  herself  to  think  she 
still  cared  for  Roger,  yet  she  admitted  in  her  secret  heart 
she  had  seen  no  one  to  put  in  his  place,  though  there 
might  be  men  quite  as  worthy. 

Dr.  Collaston  went  up  to  Philadelphia  for  a  few  days, 
228 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

and  learned  that  his  worst  fears  in  regard  to  Charles  had 
been  realized.  The  most  celebrated  surgeon  at  that  time, 
who  bade  fair  to  do  quite  as  much  for  the  advancement  of 
medicine  as  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush  had  done  in  his  day,  a 
Dr.  Physic,  had  been  noting  the  case  carefully,  and  de 
cided  that  only  an  operation  could  prevent  a  settled  de 
formity.  Charles  was  growing  stronger  in  some  re 
spects,  and  when  the  weather  became  cooler  this  would  be 
undertaken. 

He  told  the  elders,  but  they  kept  Annis  in  ignorance. 
She  went  back  to  school ;  and,  though  she  had  been  small 
for  her  age,  seemed  suddenly  to  shoot  up  and  outgrow 
everything. 

"  And  I  shall  not  be  little  Annis  any  longer.  I  suppose 
everybody  does  grow  taller  and  older.  And  now  I  am 
past  thirteen.  When  shall  I  be  old  enough  to  curtsey  to 
Mrs.  Madison?  " 

"  Oh,  you  can  do  that  at  any  time.  And  since  Varina 
has  gone  to  Charleston  to  visit  Dolly  Floyd,  you  ought 
to  have  some  indulgence.  She  has  been  to  a  reception  at 
the  Governor's." 

The  election  of  Madison  for  a  second  term  had  been 
largely  the  result  of  the  victories  that  had  thrilled  the 
nation.  The  navy  was  springing  into  existence  as  if  by 
magic.  Some  fine  English  ships  had  been  captured  and 
graced  by  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  and  were  doing  brilliant 
work  under  their  new  colors. 

The  Constellation  came  up  the  Potomac,  gayly  deco 
rated  with  flags  and  bunting,  and  Captain  Stewart  gave 
a  grand  dinner,  at  which  the  President  and  his  wife  and 
Mrs.  Madison's  son,  then  a  handsome  and  elegantly  bred 
young  man,  were  among  the  most  distinguished  guests. 
Louis  had  obtained  cards  for  himself  and  lady  through 
Judge  Todd. 

"  You  look  pretty  enough  to  be  married,"  said  Annis 
229 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

when  she  saw  Jaqueline  in  her  pretty  pink  gauze  gown, 
the  lace  on  it  run  with  silver  threads,  and  her  dainty 
slippers  with  silver  buckles  set  with  brilliants  that  cer 
tainly  did  twinkle.  The  dinner  was  spread  with  every 
luxury  the  season  afforded,  and  enhanced  by  the  bril 
liant  lights  and  profusion  of  cut-glass  with  its  sparkling 
points.  While  the  elders  sat  on  the  quarterdeck  sur 
rounded  by  some  of  the  chief  men  of  the  nation,  beneath 
an  awning  of  red,  white,  and  blue  danced  the  belles  and 
beaus. 

Lieutenant  Ralston  had  come  late,  but  he  was  in  time 
for  the  dancing.  When  he  caught  sight  of  Jaqueline 
he  made  his  way  over  to  her. 

"  It  has  been  so  long  since  I  have  seen  you !  "  he  ex 
claimed.  "  And  I  really  had  not  thought  of  meeting  you 
to-night,  but  I  shall  be  in  Washington  for  a  fortnight  or 
more.  And  gay,  pretty  Patty  has  settled  into  a  pattern 
wife  and  mother !  Does  she  read  you  lectures  ?  " 

"  Sometimes,"  returned  Jaqueline,  smiling. 

"  Tell  me  about  all  the  others.  It  seems  an  age  since 
I  have  heard  of  any  of  you." 

"  Then  if  you  make  such  a  little  account  of  my  letters 
I  shall  not  write  you  any  more." 

"  Nay,  do  not  be  so  cruel.  You  can  hardly  call  them 
letters,  they  are  so  brief.  Still,  I  am  glad  to  get  them, 
and  feel  anxious  about  the  poor  little  boy.  You  think  he 
will  recover?  " 

"  Dr.  Physic  holds  out  hopes  of  a  successful  termina 
tion.  But  it  will  be  very  slow." 

"  And  that  dainty  little  Annis  ?  You  are  mothering 
her?  Do  you  know,  your  charming  solicitude  made  me 
smile.  Was  she  much  homesick  after  her  mother?  " 

"  Only  a  little  at  first.  She  goes  to  school  and  is  won 
derfully  interested." 

"  And  Varina  ?     Our  little  wasp  ?  "  laughingly. 
230 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

"  Varina  is  spending  the  winter  with  Dolly.  You 
know  she  married  a  Floyd  connection.  He  has  been 
elected  a  member  of  the  State  legislature  this  winter. 
Varina  is  quite  a  young  lady.  We  Masons  have  a  trick 
of  growing  up  soon." 

"  And  your  grandmother  ?    How  fares  it  with  her  ?  " 

Jaqueline  smiled  inwardly  at  this  mark  of  respect,  and 
retailed  the  little  happenings  at  the  Pineries.  He  listened 
attentively  when  Marian's  name  was  mentioned,  and  made 
no  bitter  comment.  Was  it  utter  indifference? 

"  This  is  our  dance,"  he  said,  offering  his  hand ;  and 
they  glided  down  the  polished  deck.  Then  someone  else 
came  for  her,  and  she  saw  very  little  more  of  him  until 
he  marched  up  to  bid  her  good-by  and  assure  her  he 
should  call  speedily. 

"  What  a  fine  fellow  Ralston  has  made !  "  Louis  said 
as  they  were  returning  home.  "  He  has  half  a  mind  to 
go  in  the  navy,  he  tells  me.  They  are  winning  all  the 
glory.  But  he  is  very  cage?"  about  the  defenses  of  Wash 
ington.  I  do  wonder  if  there  is  any  real  danger  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  hope  not !  "  anxiously. 

"  No ;  we  do  not  want  the  war  brought  to  our  door." 

"  New  York  or  Boston  will  offer  greater  attractions. 
The  enemy  is  raging  over  the  loss  of  the  Guerriere,  and 
threatens  desperate  revenge.  Oh,  we  are  safe  enough !  " 

Annis  was  eager  to  hear  all  about  the  ball.  Was  it 
prettier  because  it  was  on  a  ship?  And  wasn't  Jaqueline 
glad  to  see  Lieutenant  Ralston  again?  Did  anyone  have 
a  more  beautiful  frock?  * 

"  Oh,  yes !  "  laughed  Jaqueline. 

"  But  no  one  was  any  prettier,  I  am  sure,"  she  said 
confidently. 

The  enthusiasm  over  the  victories  was  running  high. 
The  news  came  of  Commodore  Decatur's  famous  victory 
off  the  Canary  Islands,  when  he  captured  the  Macedonian 

231 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

after  an  hour  and  a  half  of  terrific  fighting,  with  the  loss 
of  only  five  men  killed  and  seven  wounded.  The  United 
States  brought  her  prize  into  New  York  amid  great  re 
joicing. 

The  news  was  hailed  in  Washington  with  the  utmost 
enthusiasm.  It  so  happened  that  the  evening  had  been 
selected  for  a  brilliant  naval  ball,  to  celebrate  the  two 
other  victories,  and  as  a  compliment  to  Captain  Stewart. 
Ralston  had  been  in  a  few  days  before  with  invitations  for 
the  Collaston  household. 

"  I  almost  wish  I  was  grown  up,"  said  Annis  wistfully. 
"Can't  little  girls  ever  see  anything?" 

"  Why,  she  ought  to  go,"  declared  Ralston.  "  There 
may  not  be  such  another  event  until  peace  is  declared,  and 
if  we  go  on  this  way,  it  must  be,  ere  long.  But  it  will  be 
a  great  thing  to  remember  in  years  to  come  Think  of  the 
old  ladies  who  saw  our  beloved  Washington  and  the 
heroes  of  the  Revolution,  how  glad  they  are  to  talk  it  all 
over !  Oh,  Annis  must  go,  by  all  means !  " 

"  But  such  a  mere  child !  "  said  Patty. 

"  Well,  she  has  eyes  and  ears.  I  will  take  her  myself. 
Mistress  Annis  Mason,  may  I  have  the  pleasure  of  es 
corting  you  to  the  grand  naval  ball?  It  will  give  me  a 
great  deal  of  pleasure,  I  assure  you.  I  am  a  bachelor, 
fancy  free,  so  no  one's  heart  will  be  broken." 

He  rose  as  he  said  this,  and  crossed  the  room  to  where 
Annis  was  sitting,  leaning  her  arm  on  Jaqueline's  knee. 

The  child  colored  and  glanced  up  in  a  puzzled  manner. 

"Well — why  do  you  not  answer?"  said  Patty  in 
amusement.  "  Madame  Badeau  ought  to  train  you  in 
polite  deportment." 

"  Can  I  say  just  what  I  should  like?  "  a  little  timidly, 
glancing  from  one  sister  to  the  other. 

"Yes,"  answered  Patty  laughingly,  "Yes,"  said 
Jaqueline  a  little  more  gravely. 

233 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

Annis  rose  and  made  a  formal  little  courtesy,  holding 
the  side  of  her  skirt  with  charming  grace. 

"  It  will  afford  me  the  greatest  pleasure  to  accept  your 
invitation,  Lieutenant  Ralston,"  she  said  in  a  stately  and 
dignified  manner. 

"  Thank  you !  That  is  very  handsomely  done.  After 
this  show  of  proper  and  ceremonious  behavior  you  can 
not  refuse  her  permission  ?  "  turning  to  the  elders. 

"  We  are  vanquished,  certainly,"  admitted  Patty. 
"  Now  you  may  be  good  enough,  perhaps,  to  tell  us 
what  she  must  wear." 

He  glanced  her  over.  "  Some  simple  white  frock,"  he 
said.  "  Then  you  might  tie  a  red  ribbon  in  her  hair, 
and  put  on  her  a  blue  sash,  and  she  will  be  the  national 
colors." 

"  Luckily  her  hair  isn't  golden  or  red  or  black,  so  we 
shall  not  startle  anyone." 

"  Now,  remember  there  is  no  white  feather  to  be 
shown,"  said  the  lieutenant.  "  You  may  be  a  soldier's 
wife  some  day." 

Annis  blushed. 

Later,  when  she  was  alone  with  Jaqueline,  she  put  her 
arms  about  the  elder's  neck. 

"  Dear  Jaqueline,"  she  said  with  a  tender  accent,  "  do 
you  think  you  will  like  my  going  to  the  ball  ?  If  it  isn't 
quite  right  I  will  stay  at  home.  And  -are  you  sure  the 
lieutenant  was  in  earnest  ?  " 

"  There  is  no  reason  why  you  should  not  go,  except 
that  children  are  not  generally  taken  to  balls.  And  it 
will  be  a  grand  thing  for  you  to  remember." 

Annis  kissed  her,  much  relieved. 

"  I  do  so  want  to  go,"  she  returned  after  a  little  pause. 

And  that  morning  the  news  was  announced  by  an  ex 
tra  from  the  office  of  the  National  Intelligencer.  People 
went  about  in  high  spirits.  As  soon  as  the  twilight  ap- 

233 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

peared  illuminations  sprang  up  at  many  important  points. 
Private  houses  were  aglow  from  every  window,  and  more 
than  one  flag  waved.  Washington  was  full  of  gayety  and 
rejoicing.  And  some  who  did  not  go  to  the  ball  had 
strains  of  patriotic  music  to  cheer  the  passer-by. 

Entertainments  began  early.  Tomlinson's  Hotel  was 
soon  filled  with  guests,  the  beauty  and  fashion  of  the  city. 
The  captured  flags  of  the  Alert  and  Guerriere  were  ar 
ranged  over  a  sort  of  dais  where  Mrs.  Madison  and  the 
Cabinet  ladies  sat,  while  the  secretaries  stood  about  them. 
There  was  a  host  of  military  and  naval  men.  Gold  lace 
and  epaulettes  and  swords  gleamed  with  every  move 
ment,  while  women  were  lovely  in  satins  and  velvets  and 
laces.  Mrs.  Madison  wore  a  handsome  gray  velvet, 
trimmed  with  yellow  satin  and  lace,  and  on  her  head  a 
filmy  sort  of  turban  with  some  short  white  plumes.  A 
neckerchief  of  fine  soft  lace  rested  lightly  on  her  shoul 
ders,  but  displayed  the  still  beautiful  throat  and  neck. 
The  little  curls  across  her  forehead  were  still  jet-black, 
and  though  women  powdered  and  rouged,  she  was  one  of 
the  few  who  "  wore  a  natural  complexion,"  said  a  news 
paper  correspondent. 

One  and  another  made  a  bow  to  her  and  passed  on.  Dr. 
Collaston  and  his  wife,  Jaqueline  and  a  handsome  young 
naval  officer,  and  then  Lieutenant  Ralston  and  his  young 
charge.  Annis  was  a  little  bewildered.  She  had  seen 
Mrs.  Madison  in  the  carriage,  and  at  times  walking  about 
the  grounds  at  the  White  House;  but  this  really  awed 
her,  and  a  rush  of  color  came  to  her  fair  face.  Mrs. 
Madison  held  out  her  hand,  and  gave  her  a  kindly 
greeting. 

"  What  a  pretty  child !  "  she  said  to  one  of  the  ladies. 
"  The  American  colors,  too.  How  proud  the  lieutenant 
was  of  her!  I  remember  now  that  Miss  Jaqueline  Ma 
son  is  quite  a  belle.  Perhaps  it  is  her  sister." 

234 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

"  That  was  beautifully  done,  Annis,"  whispered  the 
lieutenant.  "  Now  there  is  a  friend  of  mine,  a  young 
midshipman,  that  you  must  meet.  Will  it  be  out  of  order 
for  you  to  dance,  I  wonder?  And  there  is  Captain  Hull 
You  must  see  all  the  heroes,  so  you  can  tell  the  story 
over  your  grandchildren." 

It  seemed  to  Annis  that  everyone  must  be  a  hero. 
There  was  the  young  middy,  a  Mr.  Yardley,  who  did  not 
look  over  sixteen,  and  who  was  going  out  on  his  first 
cruise  next  week. 

"  Has  Miss  Mason  any  relatives  in  the  war?  " 

How  queer  "  Miss  Mason "  sounded !  She  looked 
about  to  see  who  was  meant.  The  young  man  compli 
mented  her  on  her  colors.  He  had  a  brother,  a  lieutenant 
on  the  Constitution,  and  two  cousins  in  the  army  on  the 
frontier.  We  should  gain  the  victory  again,  as  we  did 
in  the  Revolution.  As  a  boy  he  used  to  be  sorry  he  had 
not  lived  then,  but  this  made  amends.  Only,  nothing 
could  compensate  for  not  having  seen  Washington,  the 
hero  of  them  all. 

Presently  the  dancing  began.  Mrs.  Collaston  and 
Jaqueline  were  both  engaged,  but  Jaqueline  put  Annis  in 
charge  of  a  charming  middle-aged  woman  whose  daugh 
ters  were  dancing,  and  who,  being  a  Virginian  and  resid 
ing  at  Yorktown,  could  recall  all  the  particulars  of  the 
surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis. 

Then  Annis  had  her  promised  dance  with  the  lieu 
tenant.  It  was  like  a  bit  of  fairyland.  She  thought  Cin 
derella  could  not  have  been  any  happier  with  the  prince. 
Afterward  Mr.  Yardley  came,  though  by  this  time  the 
floor  was  pretty  well  crowded.  He  was  about  to  lead  her 
back  to  Jaqueline,  who  was  talking  with  Mrs.  Todd,  when 
she  stopped  suddenly  and  put  out  her  hand. 

"  Oh !  "  she  cried,  then  turned  rosy-red. 

"  Is  it — why,  it  is  little  Annis  Bouvier !     Child,  how 

235 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

you  have  grown !    Do  they  let  you  go  to  balls  as  young  as 
this?" 

"  I  wanted  to  so  much.  And  it  is  beautiful !  They  are 
all  here " 

There  was  a  sudden  commotion.  Half  a  dozen  gentle 
men  cut  off  their  retreat.  Then  a  whisper  went  round 
the  room,  growing  louder  and  louder,  and  cheers  sounded 
in  the  hallway. 

"  Ensign  Hamilton  with  the  captured  flag !  " 

Secretary  Hamilton  rose,  and  the  throng  made  way 
for  him.  Just  at  the  doorway  they  met,  the  son  with 
dispatches  from  Commodore  Decatur  and  the  captured 
colors  of  the  Macedonian.  A  cheer  almost  rent  the  room. 
And  as  he  advanced  his  mother  met  him  with  a  clasp  of 
wordless  joy. 

The  President  had  been  detained  on  some  important 
business.  But  the  procession  made  its  way  to  the  dais 
where  the  ladies  were  sitting,  and  the  trophy  of  victory 
was  unfurled  amid  loud  acclamations.  The  band  played 
"  Hail,  Columbia !  "  and  when  it  ceased  the  young  man 
modestly  made  a  brief  speech.  The  dispatches  were  for 
the  President;  the  flag  he  laid  at  Mrs.  Madison's  feet — 
the  flag  that  was  next  of  kin  to  that  of  the  Guerriere. 

The  enthusiasm  was  so  great  that  the  dancing  stopped. 
The  flag  was  raised  to  a  place  beside  that  of  the  other 
two  trophies.  Old  veterans  wiped  their  eyes,  the  ladies 
waved  their  handkerchiefs,  and  more  than  one  voice  had 
a  break  in  it. 

Annis  stood  breathless.  Mr.  Carrington  towered 
above  her,  and  he  could  barely  see ;  but  he  had  heard  the 
story  in  the  hall,  and  was  repeating  it.  The  clasp  of  her 
soft  hand  touched  him. 

"  If  you  want  to  go  nearer,"  he  said  to  Mr.  Yardley,  "  I 
will  take  care  of  Miss  Annis.  I  am  an  old  friend  of  the 
family." 

236 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

"  It  would  be  hopeless  to  think  of  getting  her  to  her 
sister's  just  now.  Yes — I  should  like  to  see  young  Ham 
ilton." 

"  That  is  excuse  enough  for  anyone,"  and  Carrington 
smiled,  bowing  a  polite  dismissal. 

"  I  am  so  glad  to  find  you !  "  Annis  said  with  childlike 
simplicity.  "  We  have  missed  you  so  much.  Where  have 
you  been  all  this  long  time  ?  " 

"  We  ?    Who  ?  "     He  bowed  his  head  a  little. 

"  Charles  and  I.  And  do  you  know  Charles  is  ill  and 
in  the  doctor's  hands  at  Philadelphia  ?  " 

"  No ;  I  have  been  away  three  months — up  on  the  north 
ern  frontier  and  in  Boston.  Poor  Charles !  Is  he  likely 
to  recover  ?  " 

"  He  was  to  come  home  at  Christmas,  but  he  can't 
now,"  and  she  sighed  a  little.  "  And  papa  too,"  ir 
relevantly  thinking  of  his  earlier  question.  "  We  were 
all  sorry." 

"  I  don't  think  everybody  could  have  been,"  after  a 
little  pause. 

She  raised  her  soft,  beseeching  eyes.  "  Are  you  still 
angry  with  Jaqueline  ?  "  she  asked.  "  I  am  sure  she  is 
sorry.  Patty  teases  her  and  says  she  will  be  an  old  maid 
because " 

Then  Annis  hung  her  pretty  head. 

"  What  makes  you  think  she  was  sorry  ?  " 

He  looked  down  into  the  eyes  with  an  infinite  per 
suasion,  and  his  voice  had  an  accent  hard  to  resist. 

"  Oh ! — because — she  was  sometimes  so  sad  and  sweet, 
and  used  to  go  walking  by  herself  in  the  twilight.  Oc 
casionally  she  would  let  me  come.  I  can't  quite  tell — 
there  are  some  things  you  feel.  And  it  isn't  right  to  keep 
angry  forever." 

The  child's  tone  was  more  assured.  She  was  on  firmer 
moral  ground. 

237 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

"  Then  you  think  I  have  been  angry  long  enough  ?  " 
It  had  seemed  years  to  him. 

"  Papa  was  very  angry  and  scolded  Jaqueline,  but  didn't 
keep  angry.  Charles  and  I  have  been  so  sorry !  Oh,  you 
will  make  up  friends  ?  " 

"  You  love  Charles  as  much  as  ever,  then  ?  Happy 
Charles!  When  you  have  love  you  have  all  the  best  of 
life." 

:<  Then  why  don't  you  ask  Jaqueline  to  love  you  again  ? 
Oh,  I  am  sure  she  would !  " 

There  was  a  sweet  seriousness  in  the  face  and  the  tone, 
the  innocence  of  the  child. 

"  And  why  didn't  you  go  to  Philadelphia  ?  "  he  asked 
presently. 

"  I  wanted  to.  Don't  you  think  it  hard  for  a  little  girl 
to  be  giving  up  her  mother  continually?  But  if  it  is 

best They  could  not  take  me,  and  Jaqueline  said 

she  would  be  like  mamma,  and  love  me  and  care  for  me. 
She  is  ever  so  sweet.  And  Patty  and  the  baby  are  de 
lightful.  I  like  Dr.  Collaston  too.  And  I  am  going  to 
school  to  a  queer,  delightful  little  French  woman, 
Madame  Badeau.  And  the  French  I  used  to  know  out 
in  Kentucky  all  comes  back  to  me." 

"  Yes,"  smilingly.  "  I  have  seen  Madame  Badeau." 
The  throng  was  beginning  to  move.  "  Suppose  we  go 
up  and  have  a  look  at  this  wonderful  flag?  I  think  war 
terrible;  but  it  is  good  to  be  on  the  winning  side,  and 
certainly  our  poor  sailors  have  suffered  long  enough. 
When  we  are  a  terror  to  our  enemies  they  will  learn  to 
respect  us.  But,  thank  Heaven,  you  know  nothing  about 
the  terrible  side  here !  May  God  keep  you  safely !  " 

She  raised  her  eyes  with  a  grave  half-smile  as  if  to 
thank  him  for  his  benison. 

The  President  had  come  in  now.  The  band  was  play 
ing  patriotic  tunes,  several  inspiriting  Scotch  pieces,  for 

238 


IN   OLD   WASHINGTON. 

just  now  no  one  seemed  anxious  to  dance.  Ensign  Ham 
ilton  was  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  occasion,  and  the  pretty 
women  were  saying  all  manner  of  complimentary  things 
to  him.  There  in  the  throng  stood  Lieutenant  Ralston 
and  Midshipman  Yardley,  and,  yes,  there  were  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Collaston. 

Jaqueline  was  out  of  the  group,  listening  to  a  vivid  ac 
count  of  the  taking  of  the  Guerriere  and  the  gala  time 
there  had  been  in  old  Boston  Town. 

Patricia  turned  and  espied  Annis,  who  held  her  head 
up  proudly  and  looked  as  if  she  were  used  to  going  to 
balls  every  week  of  her  life. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Carrington !  "  reaching  over  a  cordial  hand. 
"  What  a  stranger  you  are !  I  felt  I  ought  to  go  in  search 
of  Annis,  but  I  knew  she  was  in  good  hands.  Thank 
you  for  your  care  of  her.  Wasn't  it  all  grand  ?  Are  you 
not  proud  of  your  country  ?  " 

"  We  have  worked  wonders  on  the  sea,  considering  how 
unprepared  we  were  and  the  strength  of  the  enemy.  I  am 
no  croaker,  but  we  are  not  through  yet.  Heaven  grant 
that  we  may  be  successful  to  the  end !  After  all, 
we  are  a  young  nation ;  and  we  have  fought  in  almost  a 
new  cause,  the  enlightenment  of  the  people,  not  the  glory 
or  gain  of  kings." 

"  Annis,  come  and  curtsey  to  some  of  these  heroes. 
She  is  over-young  for  such  a  place  as  this,  but  it  will  be 
a  proud  thing  to  remember." 

The  throng  shifted  again.  Ralston  stepped  aside  and 
encountered  Mr.  Carrington. 

"  Roger,  old  fellow," — and  though  his  tone  was  low  it 
had  a  cordial  heartiness, — "  in  this  time  of  gratulation 
private  feuds  ought  to  be  buried.  You  were  wrong  in 
your  surmise,  as  I  told  you  then.  Between  myself  and 
Miss  Mason  there  has  never  been  anything  but  the  sin- 
cerest  friendliness.  Still,  I  asked  her  to  marry  me  and 

239 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

she  declined.  Hearts  are  not  so  easily  caught  in  the  re 
bound,  after  all.  And  though  she  has  many  admirers 
she  has  not  been  won.  Let  us  be  friends  again  in  her 
honor,  for  her  sake." 

"  For  our  own  sake,  Ralston.  If  we  are  ever  to  make 
a  grand  country  we  must  be  united  man  to  man.  There 
is  need  enough  of  it.  A  scene  like  this  will  go  far  to 
ward  healing  many  dissensions,  public  and  private.  And 
I  beg  you  to  pardon  what  I  said  out  of  a  sore  and  des 
perate  heart." 

"  Friends !  "  repeated  Ralston  joyously. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE  FLAG  OF  VICTORY. 

IT  was  true  that  the  victories  did  go  far  toward  healing 
dissensions.  While  the  indignation  against  England 
had  run  high,  there  was  a  bitter  opposition  in  some  quar 
ters  to  every  act  of  the  administration.  There  was  jar 
ring  in  the  Cabinet  as  well  as  outside.  The  larger  cities 
had  never  cordially  approved  of  the  Capital  at  Washing 
ton.  They  had  had  rejoicing  over  successes,  and  now  it 
was  the  turn  of  the  newer  city. 

Mrs.  Madison's  drawing  room  always  presented  a  gay 
and  beautiful  aspect.  Many  strangers  came  to  the  city. 
Washington  Irving  paid  a  second  visit,  and  was  most 
graciously  received  and  became  a  great  favorite.  So 
ciety  took  on  a  finer  aspect.  Poets  appeared,  mostly  pa 
triotic  ones ;  and  though  to-day  we  may  smile  over  them, 
their  sincerity  moved  the  hearts  of  their  readers  and  won 
applause,  inspired  enthusiasm. 

Jaqueline  Mason  had  taken  another  ramble  around  the 
room  when  she  saw  Roger  Carrington  talking  to  her 

240 


THE   FLAG   OF   VICTORY. 

sister.  The  band  played  a  grand  march,  and  everybody 
fell  into  line,  as  this  seemed  to  befit  the  occasion.  Then 
some  of  the  guests  began  to  disperse,  as  the  President, 
who  looked  very  weary,  and  his  smiling,  affable  wife,  with 
so  many  more  years  of  youth  on  her  side,  set  the  example. 

Carrington  loitered  with  the  Collaston  party,  debating 
whether  he  should  meet  Jaqueline.  It  would  break  the 
ice,  perhaps.  Patty  had  been  so  cordial.  She  had  taken 
on  so  many  pretty  married  airs  that  were  charming.  She 
talked  about  her  house  and  her  lovely  baby,  how  Annis 
had  grown,  and  how  sweet  it  was  of  her  to  be  content 
without  her  mother,  and  how  sad  it  was  about  Charles. 
Louis  joined  them,  full  of  enthusiasm.  And  at  last 
Jaqueline  and  her  escort  came  up. 

"  We  thought  we  should  have  to  go  home  without  you," 
Patty  said  gayly.  "  Come ;  it  is  late.  The  carriage  has 
been  here  waiting  ever  so  long." 

Jaqueline  bowed  to  her  old  lover.  Major  Day,  in  his 
military  trappings,  was  quite  an  imposing  figure,  and  how 
beautiful  she  was!  She  had  been  a  pretty  young  girl 
when  he  first  met  her ;  she  was  young  still,  in  that  early 
dawn  of  womanhood  before  the  bud  had  quite  unfolded. 
Had  he  expected  to  see  her  faded  and  worn  in  this  brief 
period? 

They  all  wished  each  other  good-night. 

Why  did  he  not  "  ask  Jaqueline  to  love  him  again  "  ? 
He  was  not  as  sure  as  Annis  had  been.  And  now  every 
thing  was  different.  Patty  was  already  quite  a  figure  in 
society,  and  Jaqueline  could  have  her  choice  of  lovers, 
husbands. 

Annis  longed  to  tell  over  her  little  episode  of  the  meet 
ing,  but  there  seemed  no  time.  Jaqueline  was  always 
going  out  and  having  company.  Louis  teased  Annis 
when  he  saw  her. 

"  Two  conquests  in  one  night  for  a  little  girl !  "  he  ex- 
24! 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

claimed.  "  Oh,  I  saw  you  dancing  with  the  young  mid 
shipman,  and  then  on  high  parade  with  Mr.  Carrington, 
who  looked  grave  and  grand,  as  if  he  was  escorting  about 
a  lady  of  high  degree.  I  am  afraid  Madame  Badeau  will 
make  a  woman  of  you  too  fast.  Do  you  not  think  it  would 
be  better  to  send  her  over  to  the  convent  to  steady  her, 
Patty?" 

"  Oh,  I  don't  want  to  be  shut  up !  I  should  run  away. 
And  I  like  the  girls  so  much.  The  convent  looks  dreary. 
And  they  can  walk  only  in  that  high-walled  garden.  I 
want  the  whole  big  outside  world." 

Louis  laughed  and  pinched  her  cheek. 

If  Mr.  Carrington  wouldn't  come  and  ask  Jaqueline 
again,  no  one  could  do  anything.  Annis  sighed  in  her 
tender  heart,  and  felt  that  it  was  better  not  to  retail  the 
confidence. 

Mrs.  Madison's  dinners  were  quite  the  events  of  the 
winter,  and  her  levees  were  delightful  entertainments. 
All  parties  began  to  harmonize  more  warmly ;  perhaps  it 
was  the  gracious  tact  and  affability  of  the  hostess.  The 
National  Intelligencer  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Madisons 
enthusiastically,  and  congratulated  the  nation  on  his  re 
election.  Roger  Carrington  began  to  haunt  the  entertain 
ments  he  had  so  long  shunned,  or  at  the  utmost  merely 
devoted  a  few  moments  to  them.  Of  course  he  met 
Jaqueline,  who  was  simply  indifferent,  a  much  harder 
condition  to  overcome  than  if  she  had  shown  hauteur  or 
resentment.  And,  then — in  a  worldly  point  of  view  she 
could  do  better. 

For  Washington,  in  a  certain  way,  was  prospering  in 
spite  of  the  war  and  privations.  There  was  a  feeling  of 
permanence,  as  if  the  Capital  really  would  be  great  some 
day.  Houses  were  springing  up,  streets  lengthening  out, 
mudholes  being  filled  up,  pavements  placed,  and  every 
year  a  little  was  added  to  the  home  of  the  nation. 

243 


THE   FLAG   OF   VICTORY. 

The  time  ran  gayly  around.  The  winter  had  seemed 
unusually  brief.  March  came  in  again,  and  with  it  the 
second  inauguration  of  James  Madison,  when  the  Capi 
tol  grounds  were  thronged  as  never  before.  The  Presi 
dent  was  paler  and  thinner,  and  though  it  had  been  a 
triumph  for  his  party,  he  sighed  often  for  the  quiet  and 
rest  of  Montpellier. 

Mrs.  Madison,  in  rose-colored  satin  and  ermine,  looked 
"  every  inch  a  queen,"  said  the  papers  of  the  day.  And 
happier  than  some  of  the  queens  off  or  on  European 
thrones,  even  if  she  had  carried  a  great  burden  the  last 
two  years.  And  the  ladies  of  the  republican  court  cer 
tainly  were  not  lacking  in  beauty  or  grace.  The  for 
eign  ministers  and  their  wives,  in  all  their  brave  array, 
hardly  excelled  them;  and  the  army  and  navy  were  in 
force. 

Annis  went  to  the  levee.  It  was  quite  a  crush,  but  a 
pleasure  to  the  child  to  see  the  brilliant  throng.  Louis 
was  her  escort,  and  he  was  proud  of  her  refined  and  lady 
like  manners.  The  French  grace  in  her  nature  had  been 
assiduously  cultivated  by  the  woman  who  still  thought 
there  was  no  place  like  France. 

"  We  will  go  home  early,"  Patty  said.  "  Jaqueline  is 
to  stay  and  help  entertain.  She's  getting  to  be  such  a 
grand  lady  that  I  suppose  she  will  be  marrying  a  senator 
or  a  secretary  next,  and  perhaps  be  Mrs.  President  her 
self.  She  and  Mrs.  Seaton  are  hand  and  glove."  Mrs. 
Seaton  was  the  pretty  wife  of  the  editor  of  the  National 
Intelligencer.  "  But  I  am  tired,  and  the  doctor  will  be 
out  all  night,  so  we  will  get  some  beauty  sleep." 

She  sent  the  servant  for  the  carriage.  One  of  the 
guests  escorted  them  through  the  spacious  hall  and  out 
on  the  portico.  A  merry  party  were  coming  up,  and  An 
nis,  turning  aside  for  them,  slipped,  landing  in  a  little 
heap  on  the  stone  pavement.  Patty  uttered  a  cry. 

243 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

A  gentleman  at  the  foot  of  the  steps  picked  her  up  be 
fore  Patty  or  Mr.  Fenton  could  reach  her. 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Carrington !  "  cried  Patty ;  and  now  the 
other  guests  ran  down  to  see  what  injury  they  had  done, 
quite  alarmed  at  the  incident. 

Annis  drew  a  long  sigh  and  flung  her  arms  about  her 
rescuer's  neck,  quite  ignorant  who  it  might  be,  but  still 
frightened. 

"  No,  I  do  not  think  I  am  hurt,"  in  a  shaken  voice. 

"  Take  her  to  the  carriage,  please,"  entreated  Patty. 
"  And,  Mr.  Fenton,  do  not  mention  it  to  my  sister  nor  my 
brother,  if  you  see  them.  Good-night,  and  thanks." 

Mr.  Carrington  carried  her  to  the  edge  of  the  walk  and 
then  put  her  down. 

"  I  feel  shaky,"  she  began,  with  a  tremulous  laugh. 
"  But  I  am  quite  sure  I  have  not  broken  any  bones." 

Patty  stepped  in  first.  Mr.  Carrington  assisted  Annis, 
and  then  studied  the  pale  face. 

"  Do  you  not  think  I  had  better  accompany  you  ?  "  he 
asked  solicitously. 

"  But  you  were  just  going  in  to  pay  your  respects  to 
Mrs.  Madison "  declared  Patty. 

"  I  shall  have  four  years  more  to  do  it  in,"  he  returned. 
"  Where  is  the  doctor  ?  Yes,  I  had  better  be  sure  of  your 
safety." 

"  He  is  out  on  business.  Really,  he  is  getting  to  be 
quite  hard-worked.  And  if  you  would  not  mind.  I 
should  take  it  as  a  favor.  Then  we  can  see  if  Annis  is 
really  injured." 

He  sprang  in,  and  the  coachman  closed  the  door. 

"  It  was  very  funny  to  take  that  flying  leap,  as  if  I 
were  a  bird,"  and  Annis  could  not  forbear  laughing. 
"  What  did  I  look  like,  dropping  at  your  feet  ?  I  was  so 
bundled  up  that  I  couldn't  save  myself.  There  is  a  bump 
swelling  up  on  my  forehead." 

244 


THE   FLAG   OF   VICTORY. 

"  Lucky  if  there  is  nothing  worse,"  responded  Patty. 

Annis  was  carried  up  the  steps  and  deposited  on  the 
drawing-room  sofa.  Patty  took  off  her  wraps,  and 
made  her  stand  up  and  try  all  her  limbs.  She  began 
to  feel  quite  natural  and  over  her  fright.  There  was  a 
lump  on  her  forehead,  but  her  hood  had  protected  the 
skin. 

"  I  am  delighted  to  think  it  is  no  worse,"  the  gentle 
man  said. 

"  And  it  is  a  pity  to  have  disturbed  you.  But  the  doc 
tor  being  out,  I  felt  nervous ;  and  a  friend  is  so  good  at 
such  a  time.  I  am  sure  we  are  much  indebted  for  your 
kindness." 

Annis  put  out  her  hand  and  clasped  his.  "  I  am  glad 
it  was  you,"  she  said  with  simple  thankfulness. 

Then  they  talked  of  Charles.  He  had  been  put  in  a 
plaster  jacket.  Dr.  Collaston  was  quite  sure  the  best 
was  being  done,  but  it  would  be  spring  before  he  could  be 
brought  home. 

Patty  was  very  cordial  at  the  parting,  and  invited  him 
to  call. 

"  And  see  what  happens  to  me  next,"  said  Annis. 

"  You  may  be  sure  I  shall  want  to  know." 

He  did  not  go  back  to  the  levee.  Jaqueline  was  there, 
being  admired  and  flattered.  Now  and  then  he  heard 
complimentary  things  said  about  her,  and  young  men  sent 
her  verses,  quite  an  ordinary  event  at  that  time.  She  had 
forgotten,  and  he  remembered  only  too  well.  Annis  must 
have  been  wrong,  yet  he  had  hugged  the  child's  innocent 
prattle  to  his  heart.  He  knew  now  he  had  not  ceased  to 
love  her,  yet  he  had  thought  in  his  pride  that  if  she  could 
love  Ralston  he  would  not  stand  in  the  way.  His  jeal 
ousy  had  been  of  the  larger,  finer  type. 

With  all  these  opportunities  she  had  accepted  no  lover. 
Her  attractions  were  of  a  more  refined  kind  than  when 

245 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

she  had  made  her  first  plunge  into  gayety.     Was  there 

something No,  he  hardly  dared  believe  it.     He  had 

been  imperious  and  arbitrary. 

He  had  not  the  courage  to  go  the  next  day  and  inquire 
after  Annis.  He  knew  it  was  a  polite  duty.  He  walked 
down  past  Madame  Badeau's  little  gray  house  when 
school  was  being  dismissed.  There  was  no  Annis  among 
the  girls.  What  if  she  had  been  injured  more  than  they 
thought!  He  would  stop  and  inquire  at  the  office. 
There  were  several  men  talking  eagerly  with  the  doctor, 
so  he  strolled  around  the  corner.  Yes,  that  was  Jaque- 
line  sitting  with  her  face  turned  from  the  window,  chat 
ting  to  someone.  The  proud  poise  of  the  head,  the  shin 
ing  dark  curls  just  shadowing  her  white  neck,  the  pink 
ear  like  a  pearly  sea  shell,  and  then  her  slim  white  hand 
held  up  in  some  gesticulation,  and  the  smile  that  made  a 
dainty  dimple.  No,  he  would  not  interrupt  her;  so  he 
walked  on.  If  she  had  turned  her  head — but  she  did 
not. 

He  was  very  busy  the  next  day.  When  he  left  the  office 
a  carriage  full  of  young  girls  passed  him.  Some  of  them 
nodded;  he  was  not  quite  sure  whether  she  did  or  not. 
Now  was  his  opportunity. 

The  day  had  been  rather  raw,  with  a  fitful  sunshine,  but 
now  it  was  clouding  over.  He  walked  briskly,  and  held 
his  head  erect,  although  he  felt  rather  cowardly  at  heart. 
Why  should  he  not  put  his  fate  to  the  touch,  like  a  man, 
or  dismiss  her  from  his  mind  ?  He  sauntered  up  the  stoop 
and  touched  the  knocker  lightly — so  lightly,  indeed,  that 
Julius,  amid  the  clatter  of  Dinah's  pots  and  pans,  did  not 
hear  it. 

The  carriage  stopped.  It  was  rather  dusky  now,  and  a 
tree  hid  the  figure  at  the  door  until  Jaqueline  was  coming 
up  the  steps.  His  heart  beat  furiously.  He  turned,  and 
they  faced  each  other. 

246 


THE   FLAG   OF   VICTORY. 

Her  hat,  with  the  great  bow  on  the  top,  was  tied  under 
her  chin  with  rose-colored  ribbons.  A  satin  collar  edged 
with  swan's  down  stood  up  around  her  throat  and  almost 
touched  the  pink  cheeks.  The  great  soft,  dark  eyes 
glanced  out  in  surprise — they  could  flame  in  anger  too,  he 
knew  that. 

He  had  thought  more  than  once  how  gradually  he 
would  lead  up  to  that  old  time,  and  learn  if  she  still  loved 
him.  And  she  had  resolved  upon  a  becoming  humility 
on  his  part.  He  should  admit  that  he  had  misjudged  her, 
that  he  had  been  selfish,  arbitrary,  suspicious,  jealous, 
and — oh,  how  many  faults  she  had  counted  upon  her  white 
fingers ! 

"  Jaqueline,"  he  said  almost  under  his  breath — "  Jaque- 
line !  " — and  it  seemed  as  if  his  voice  had  never  been  so 
sweet,  a  fragrant  shower  falling  on  a  long-parched  heart. 
He  was  trying  to  find  her  hand;  did  it  come  out  of  the 
great  muff  quite  as  broad  as  her  slim  figure,  all  soft  and 
warm,  to  be  pressed  to  his  lips  ? 

"  Are  you  very  angry  still  ?  "  she  inquired  in  the  dear 
est,  most  beseeching  tone. 

"  Angry  ?  "  He  had  forgotten  all  about  it.  He  had 
been  fatuous,  senseless,  to  think  of  such  a  thing ! 

"  Because — "  in  a  fascinating  cadence  of  pardon. 

"  I  have  not  had  a  happy  moment."  His  voice  was 
husky  with  emotion,  with  the  love  that  he  had  told  him 
self  a  hundred  times  was  dead,  and  a  hundred  times  had 
disbelieved. 

"  I  had  given  you  up.  Not  that  I  had  ceased — to  care. 
And  that  night  of  the  ball,  when  the  flags  came,  I  was 
quite  sure  you  loved  me  no  longer." 

"  I  shall  love  you  always.  I  was  mad,  foolish,  jeal 
ous " 

"  And  I  did  flirt.  Oh,  I  was  such  a  vain  little  thing 
then !  I  am  better  now.  I  do  not  think  it  so  fine  to  have 

247 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

a  host  of  men  making  love  to  you.     Only  you  were  wrong 
about " 

"Ralston?    Yes." 

"  But  you  must  know,  he  did  ask  me  to  marry  him.  I 
do  not  think  it  was  for  love." 

"  I  am  glad  it  was  not.  I  told  him  he  owed  you  an 
offer  of  marriage." 

"  But  he  did  not.  There  had  never  been  any  foolish 
softness  between  us.  A  Virginian  girl  may  flirt,  but  she 
doesn't  give  away  the  sweetness  that  only  a  lover  is  en 
titled  to.  And  what  if  I  had  loved  him  ?  " 

"  If  you  had  loved  him  I  should  have  wished  you  God 
speed,  after  a  while." 

"  But  you  couldn't  have  done  it  at  first  ?  " 
•  "  No,  I  couldn't."     The  hearty  tone  was  convincing. 

It  was  quite  dark  now.  He  put  his  arm  about  her  and 
drew  her  nearer,  nearer,  and  ceased  to  kiss  her  hand. 

"  Oh,  my  darling ;  here  I  am  keeping  you  out  in  the 
cold!  Are  you  almost  frozen?  And  I  came  to  hear 
about  Annis.  I  have  been  wondering  if  I  should  ever 
meet  you  where  I  could  say  a  word " 

"Annis  is  your  very  good  friend.  So  was  Charles. 
And  papa  was  fearfully  angry  at  my  folly.  They  were 
all  on  your  side." 

"  And  now  you  are  on  my  side  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  with  a  soft,  happy  little  laugh. 

Then  he  knocked  again.  This  time  Julius  heard,  and 
answered. 

Annis  was  sitting  on  the  floor,  playing  with  the  baby, 
who  was  laughing  and  cooing. 

"  I  thought  you  wouldn't  come — ever !  "  she  said 
vehemently.  "  I  had  a  headache  yesterday,  and  Patty 
wouldn't  let  me  go  to  school,  but  the  doctor  said  it  didn't 
amount  to  anything.  It  was  funny,  though.  Jaque- 
line,  where  did  you  find  him  ?  " 

248 


THE   FLAG   OF   VICTORY. 

"  On  the  stoop,"  and  Jaqueline  gave  a  queer  little  laugh. 
How  soft  and  shining  her  eyes  were,  and  her  cheeks  were 
like  pink  roses  just  in  bloom.  Annis  felt  something  mys 
terious  stirring  in  the  air.  Then  Jaqueline  ran  away. 

" Did  you  ask  her?."  Annis  raised  her  clear  eyes  with 
a  sweet,  solemn  light. 

"  Yes.     Annis,  you  are  to  be  my  little  sister." 

"  I  shall  grow  big,  more's  the  pity,"  she  said  senten- 
tiously.  "  And  I  hate  to  be  big !  " 

He  laughed  at  that. 

The  doctor  had  taken  his  wife  over  to  Arlington,  for  he 
disliked  to  ride  alone  except  when  he  was  in  great  haste ; 
and  just  as  Dinah  had  begun  to  fume  about  supper  they 
came  in.  Mr.  Carrington  had  a  warm  welcome  from 
them,  and  they  all  laughed  over  Annis'  mishap.  But 
when  Jaqueline  entered  the  story  was  told,  as  love  stories 
always  are;  and  they  kept  Roger  to  tea.  No  one  came, 
for  a  cold,  drizzling  rain  set  in,  and  he  had  Jaqueline  to 
himself. 

"  Still,  she  might  have  done  a  great  deal  better,"  said 
Dr.  Collaston.  "  Jaqueline  ought  to  go  to  some  foreign 
court  as  the  wife  of  a  minister,  she  is  so  elegant.  Or  the 
wife  of  a  secretary  of  state." 

He  had  his  desire  years  afterward,  when  Jaqueline  and 
her  husband  went  to  the  French  court.  Napoleon  had 
been  swept  away  by  the  hand  of  fate,  and  royalty  sat  on 
the  throne. 

Roger  said  they  must  go  over  and  tell  his  mother  the 
joyful  news.  Ralph's  wife  was  a  sweet  home  body,  and 
she  had  a  thriving  son  that  was  his  great-grandmother's 
pride.  But  the  mother's  heart  was  strongly  centered  in 
her  firstborn,  and  she  had  suffered  keenly  in  his  sorrows, 
though  they  had  never  talked  them  over.  They  had  been 
too  deep,  too  sacred. 

"  Only  love  him,  my  dear,"  she  said  to  Jaqueline. 
249 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  There  are  some  people  who  think  you  can  love  a  per 
son  too  much ;  but  when  they  have  gone  beyond  your  ken 
you  are  most  glad  of  the  times  you  gave  them  overflowing 
measure."  The  young  girl  knew  then  she  was  forgiven. 

Jaqueline  was  not  less  a  favorite  in  society  because  she 
was  an  engaged  young  lady,  but  she  was  more  circum 
spect;  and  certainly  now  Roger  had  nothing  to  complain 
of.  Only  life  seemed  too  short  ever  to  make  up  the  lost 
months. 

Annis  was  as  happy  as  the  lovers  themselves.  She  was 
very  companionable  and  never  in  the  way.  There  was  a 
curious  ingrained  delicacy  about  her.  Dr.  Collaston  de 
clared  he  was  jealous.  He  and  little  Bessy  ought  to  out 
weigh  the  regard  for  Mr.  Carrington. 

"  But  I  knew  him  first.  It's  the  longest  friendship," 
glancing  up  archly. 

"  I  have  taken  you  to  my  heart  and  home — doesn't  that 
count?  And  Mr.  Carrington  has  no  home." 

Annis  was  not  prepared  for  that  argument.  She  could 
not  seem  ungrateful. 

Spring  came  on  apace.  What  a  lovely  season  it  was! 
Beautiful  wild  flowers  sprang  up  at  the  roadsides,  the  trees 
and  shrubbery  put  on  infinite  tints  of  green.  The  river, 
really  majestic  then,  making  a  broad  lake  after  its  conflu 
ence  with  the  eastern  branch ;  the  marshy  shores,  dotted 
with  curious  aquatic  plants  that  had  leave  to  grow 
undisturbed  and  bloom  in  countless  varieties,  if 
not  so  beautiful;  the  heights  of  Arlington,  with  the 
massive  pines,  hemlocks,  and  oaks,  and  flowering  trees 
that  shook  great  branches  of  bloom  out  on  the  air  like 
flocks  of  flying  birds,  and  filled  every  nook  and  corner 
with  fragrance.  And  as  the  season  advanced  the  apri 
cot,  pear,  and  peach  came  out,  some  of  them  still  in  a  com 
paratively  wild  state,  finer  as  to  bloom  than  fruit. 

There  lay  pretty  Alexandria,  with  the  leisurely  aspect 
250 


THE   FLAG   OF   VICTORY. 

all  towns  wore  at  that  day.  Great  cultivated  fields 
stretched  out  as  far  as  the  eye  could  see.  Diversified 
reaches  in  hill  and  woodland  broke  the  surface  into  a 
series  of  beguiling  pictures,  as  if  one  could  wander  on 
for  ever  and  ever. 

And  then,  at  the  bend  of  the  river,  Mount  Vernon  in  its 
peaceful  silence ;  a  place  for  pilgrimages  even  at  that  time, 
and  destined,  like  Arlington,  to  become  more  famous  as 
the  years  rolled  on.  But  while  the  former  was  shrouded 
in  reverent  quiet,  Arlington  was  the  scene  of  many  a  gay 
gathering.  If  Mrs.  Madison  sometimes  wearied  of  the 
whirl  of  pleasure  so  different  from  her  Quaker  girlhood 
and  early  married  life,  the  ease  with  which  she  laid 
down  the  trappings  and  ceremonies  of  state  and  adapted 
herself  to  the  retirement  of  Montpellier  showed  that  she 
had  not  been  wedded  to  the  glitter  and  adulation,  and 
that  the  ease  and  comfort  of  country  life  were  not  distaste 
ful  to  her.  While  not  a  strongely  intellectual  woman,  nor 
the  mother  of  heroes,  there  is  something  exquisitely 
touching  in  her  devotion  to  her  husband's  mother  in  her 
old  age,  and  then  to  her  husband  through  the  years  of 
invalidism.  It  seems  a  fitting  end  to  a  well-used  life  that 
in  her  last  years  she  should  come  back  to  the  dear  friends 
of  middle-life,  still  ready  to  pay  her  homage,  and  to  the 
new  city  that  had  run  through  one  brief  career,  to  be  as 
great  a  favorite  as  ever. 

And  now,  when  balls  and  assemblies  began  to  pall  on 
the  pleasure-seekers, — and  one  wonders,  in  the  stress  of 
the  war,  how  so  much  money  could  have  been  spent  on 
pleasure  and  fine-dressing, — excursions  up  the  Potomac 
to  the  falls,  so  beautiful  at  that  time,  were  greatly  in 
vogue.  Carriages  and  equestrians  thronged  the  road,  fol 
lowed  by  great  clumsy  covered  wagons  and  a  regiment  of 
slaves,  who  built  fires  and  cooked  viands  that  were  best 
hot,  or  made  delicious  drinks,  hot  and  cold. 

251 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

About  fifteen  miles  above  were  the  Great  Falls.  In  the 
early  season,  when  spring  freshets  gathered  strength  and 
power  in  the  mountain  range  of  the  Alleghanies,  the  river 
swelled  by  the  affluents  in  its  course,  and  bursting  through 
the  Blue  Mountains  at  Harper's  Ferry,  swept  onward 
with  resistless  force  until  it  came  to  this  natural  gorge, 
where  it  fell  over  a  declivity  of  some  thirty  to  forty  feet. 
Indeed,  this  was  one  of  the  great  natural  curiosities  of  the 
time,  and  foreigners  made  the  pilgrimage  with  perhaps  as 
much  admiration  as  Niagara  elicits  from  more  jaded 
senses. 

Nearer  the  City,  and  convenient  for  an  afternoon  drive, 
were  the  Cascades,  some  five  or  six  miles  above  George 
town — a  series  of  rushing  streams  divided  by  rocks,  tum 
bling,  leaping,  quivering  in  the  sunshine,  and  sending  out 
showers  of  spray  full  of  iridescent  gleams  and  bits  of 
rainbows  that  danced  around  like  fays  in  gorgeous  robes. 
Here  merry  parties  laughed  and  chatted,  ate,  and  drank 
each  other's  healths,  and  tripped  lightly  to  the  inspiriting 
music  of  black  fiddlers,  who  threw  their  very  souls  as 
well  as  their  swaying  bodies  into  the  gay  tunes. 

Others,  lovers  most  frequently,  rambled  about  in  the 
shady  dells  and  exchanged  vows — gave  promises  that  were 
much  oftener  kept  than  broken,  to  their  credit  be  it 
said.  Though  at  that  time  there  was  much  merry  badi 
nage  and  keen  encounters  of  wits.  Reading  was  not  so 
greatly  in  vogue;  women  spent  no  time  at  clubs  or  over 
learned  essays.  "  A  new-fashioned  skirt  of  emerald- 
green  sarcenet  faced  with  flutings  of  white  satin  with  pip 
ings  of  green,  and  a  fine  white  mull  tunic  trimmed  with 
fringes  of  British  silk,  with  green  satin  half-boots  and 
long  white  gloves  stitched  with  green,"  filled  many  souls 
with  envy  at  one  of  the  assemblies,  says  an  old  journal. 

Patterns  were  borrowed,  and  poor  maids  sometimes 
were  at  their  wits'  ends  to  copy  them.  Most  households 

252 


had  two  or  three  women  who  were  deft  with  the  needle, 
and  who  were  kept  pretty  busy  attending  to  their  mis 
tresses'  wardrobes.  Occasionally  a  happy  blunder 
brought  in  a  new  style.  Privateers  sometimes  captured 
cargoes  of  finery  and  smuggled  them  into  some  unguarded 
port,  and  already  manufacturers  were  beginning  to  copy 
foreign  goods  with  tolerable  success. 

As  for  the  living,  there  was  an  abundance  of  every 
thing  in  the  more  southern  provinces.  Fruits  of  all  kinds 
seemed  to  grow  spontaneously,  crops  were  simply  mag 
nificent,  poultry,  game,  fish,  and  oysters  were  used  with 
out  stint.  They  were  wise,  these  people  who  had  not 
drifted  to  the  bleak  New  England  shores,  where  the  liv 
ing  was  wrested  from  the  soil  and  consciences  were  not 
yet  sufficiently  free  to  unite  happiness  with  goodness. 

CHAPTER   XVIII. 

OF   MANY   THINGS. 

,  where  is  mamma?"  cried  Annis,  as  she  was 
clasped  in  Mr.  Mason's  arms  one  morning. 

"  Can't  you  give  me  mamma's  welcome  also  ?  "  inquired 
the  kindly  voice.  "  Why,  Annis,  what  a  large  girl  you 
are !  It  seems  as  if  we  must  have  been  away  an  age  for 
you  to  change  so." 

"  Am  I  changed  ?  "  She  laughed  cheerfully.  "  Isn't 
it  time  I  grew  ?  Varina  said  in  her  last  letter  that  she  was 
five  feet  four  inches.  And  I  am  not  five  feet  yet.  And 
Rene  has  been  to  assemblies,  in  long  gowns.  I  went  to 
two  balls,  and  that  of  the  flags  was — magnificent." 

"I  shall  have  to  look  after  my  flock  more  sharply. 
You  will  all  run  wild." 

"  But  mamma  ?  " 

Then  he  told  her  that  although  the  operations  had  been 
253 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

a  success,  and  there  was  now  no  danger  of  Charles  grow 
ing  crooked ,  he  was  still  in  a  very  delicate  state  of  health, 
and  the  doctor  had  ordered  him  a  cool  climate  for  the 
summer.  They  were  to  go  farther  north  and  travel  about 
a  bit.  A  sea  voyage  was  supposed  to  be  the  best,  but  that 
was  quite  impossible  in  the  present  state  of  affairs  and 
the  dangers  of  the  ocean. 

"  Oh,  I  thought  you  were  sure  to  come  home !  "  she 
exclaimed  disappointedly. 

"  We  are  sure  of  nothing,  it  seems.  Are  you  very 
homesick  ?  " 

A  quick  rift  of  color  flashed  up  in  her  face.  "  I'm  not 
homesick  at  all.  I  like  Washington  so  much.  There  are 
so  many  beautiful  places,  and  the  sails  on  the  rivers  and 
queer  nooks  where  the  Indians  used  to  live,  and  the  Capi 
tol  and  the  Senate  where  the  great  men  talk,  and  so  many 
lovely  people  in  fine  clothes,  and  the  officers,  and  the 
French  minister's  carriage  that  spins  along  like  a  great 
butterfly,  and  handsome  Mrs.  Madison  and  the  grand 
ladies " 

"  You  will  hardly  want  to  go  back  to  the  plantation." 

"  Jaqueline  is  going  to  live  in  Washington,"  she  said, 
evading  the  question. 

"  I  am  afraid  you  are  getting  off  with  the  old  love," 
half  reproachfully. 

"  Not  mamma,  not — oh,  I  love  you  all  just  the  same!  " 
clasping  his  arm  vehemently. 

Her  cheeks  were  very  bright.  She  experienced  a  curi 
ous  feeling  about  Charles.  Perhaps  it  was  because  she 
had  seen  these  grown  lovers  so  much,  and  she  herself  was 
growing  out  of  childish  things. 

Mr.  Mason  was  on  his  way  to  the  plantation,  and  then 
to  the  Pineries.  His  mother  had  missed  his  visits  very 
much  through  the  winter,  and  she  was  becoming  more 
feeble. 

254 


OF   MANY   THINGS. 

They  all  felt  disappointed  that  Charles  was  not  really 
well. 

"  It  is  probably  the  best  thing  you  can  do,"  said  Dr. 
Collaston.  "  He  needs  bracing  up  after  this  trying  or 
deal.  I  was  afraid  he  would  sink  under  it." 

"  The  doctors  consider  it  quite  wonderful.  When  I 
think  how  narrow  his  escape  has  been  from  lifelong  de 
formity " 

The  father's  voice  broke  a  little.  Not  an  hour  ago  he 
had  been  talking  to  Louis,  straight,  tall,  vigorous,  with 
clear  eyes  and  skin  pink  with  the  rich  blood  coursing 
through  his  veins;  and  the  contrast  between  him  and 
the  poor  pale  lad  had  been  great  indeed. 

"  It  will  be  all  right.  Surgery  is  making  rapid  strides. 
So  is  everything.  I  am  glad  not  to  be  any  older,  and  I 
hope  to  live  to  see  a  great  and  grand  country.  Why,  I 
may  reasonably  count  on  fifty  years ! "  laughing  light- 
heartedly. 

Yet  he  would  have  been  shocked  if  he  could  have 
looked  at  Washington  fifty  years  from  then — with  a  gift 
of  prescience. 

Mr.  Mason  was  gratified  to  meet  Roger  Carrington 
again  in  the  relationship  to  which  he  had  once  so  cor 
dially  welcomed  him.  Jaqueline  was  sweet  and  tender  and 
very  happy.  But  what  a  fine  young  woman  she  had  be 
come!  And  Patty  was  as  matronly  and  motherly  as  if 
she  had  been  married  half  a  century.  But  Randolph 
Mason  gave  a  little  sigh  as  he  thought  how  children  grow 
up  and  out  of  the  old  home  nest. 

The  plantation  was  in  good  shape.  There  had  been 
some  unimportant  deaths,  a  number  of  marriages,  and 
many  births.  Virginia  slaves  were  a  prolific  race,  and 
added  to  the  wealth  of  the  master.  They  were  all  over 
joyed  to  see  him,  and  full  of  regret  that  "  missus  "  wasn't 
with  him. 

255 


'A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  'Pears  laik  everybody  been  daid  and  buried  but  Mas'r 
Louis,"  said  old  Chloe. 

At  the  Pineries  nothing  seemed  changed.  Brandon 
Floyd  was  beginning  to  look  like  his  father,  and  was 
taking  on  the  same  important  airs.  He  was  very  bitter 
about  "  Madison's  war,  that  no  doubt  would  last  as  long 
as  the  other  war,  by  the  looks  of  things,  and  leave  us  in 
the  same  plight." 

When  Mr.  Mason  thought  of  his  own  blooming  girls 
his  heart  really  ached  for  Marian.  After  all,  there  was 
nothing  like  a  home  of  her  own  and  a  love  of  her  own  for 
a  woman.  He  was  glad  Jaqueline  had  come  back  to  hers. 

But  it  brought  about  a  rather  perplexing  point,  not  so 
easily  settled,  it  would  seem.  Mr.  Carrington  impor 
tuned  for  an  early  marriage.  Jaqueline  had  bidden  him 
wait  until  her  father  came. 

The  lover  pleaded  his  cause  so  well  that  the  father 
could  hardly  say  him  nay. 

"  What  do  you  most  desire  ?  "  to  Jaqueline.  "  We  may 
not  be  back  until  quite  in  the  autumn.  I  have  been 
seized  with  a  strong  inclination  to  see  a  little  of  our  own 
big  land,"  laughingly.  "  We  are  proud  of  our  share  in 
the  old  war,  but  other  States  had  a  hand  in  it  as  well.  It 
makes  a  man  feel  more  a  citizen  of  the  whole  country — 
and  a  grand  place  it  is.  So  we  shall  not  hurry." 

He  gave  her  a  wistful  glance,  as  if  to  read  her  wish 
in  the  matter. 

"  I  would  quite  as  lief  wait.  Everything  would  have  to 
be  so  different.  But,"  blushing,  "  it  was  the  rock  on 
which  we  went  to  pieces  before." 

Her  father  nodded. 

"  There  would  be  great  disappointment  on  the  old  place. 
But  you  might  go  down  and  stay  a  week  or  so.  Varina 
is  so  in  love  with  Dolly  and  Charleston  that  we  settled 
she  should  remain  until  autumn,  when  Dolly  and  her 

256 


OF   MANY   THINGS. 

husband  are  coming  up  for  a  visit.  That  young  Floyd 
seems  to  be  quite  somebody.  I  always  thought  Dolly 
flighty,  but  she  appears  to  have  some  common  sense,  after 
all." 

"  And  Varina  is  quite  a  woman.  I  hope  she  won't  be 
utterly  spoiled.  Of  course,"  tentatively,  "  it  would  be 
a  quiet  wedding.  I  think  I  would  like  it  in  church." 

Then,  she  had  really  considered  it. 

"  Why  not  ?  "  said  Patty.  "  So  many  of  the  girls 
around  home  are  married  and  gone,  and  unless  you  could 
have  a  crowd  it  would  be  dismal.  Then,  you  have  so 
many  friends  in  Washington.  To  be  sure,  it  would  be 
queer  for  a  girl  to  be  married  without  all  her  family  about 
her.  Mamma  and  Charles  and  Varina!  Well,  we've 
one  more  than  half  of  them.  Jaqueline,  if  you  hadn't 
made  that  fuss  before " 

"  Yes,"  returned  Jaqueline  meekly. 

Mrs.  Jettson  added  her  voice  in  favor  v>f  the  marriage. 
It  had  to  be  so  speedily  arranged.  There  were  friends 
ready  enough  to  be  bridesmaids ;  indeed,  the  subject  was 
taken  up  in  such  earnest  that  Jaqueline  was  likely  to  be 
married  out  of  hand.  All  that  was  really  needed  was  a 
wedding  gown  and  an  appearing-out  dress;  all  the  rest 
could  be  done  afterward,  and  there  was  her  mother's 
bridal  gown  waiting  for  her. 

When  it  came  to  the  point,  instead  of  a  simple  wedding 
it  was  a  very  grand  one.  One  of  the  Cabinet  ladies  sent 
her  a  veil  to  wear  because  it  was  luck  to  be  married  in 
something  borrowed,  and  the  veil  had  been  worn  at  the 
coronation  of  King  George.  Mrs.  Sweeny  worked  night 
and  day  altering  over  the  wedding  gown,  which  was  a 
mass  of  satin,  sheer  gauze,  and  lace,  with  a  train  carried 
by  a  daintily  attired  p'age.  Annis  held  her  prayer  book 
and  her  glove  when  the  ring  was  put  on  her  finger. 
Christ  Church  was  crowded  with  the  elite  of  Washington, 

257 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

said  a  journal  of  the  day.  Mrs.  Madison  graced  the 
scene,  and  Mrs.  Cutts,  with  whom  Jaqueline  was  a  great 
favorite,  while  Judge  and  Mrs.  Todd  were  warm  in  con 
gratulations.  It  was  really  quite  an  event,  and  Roger 
felt  almost  as  if  he  had  married  a  princess  of  the  blood 
royal.  Such  parties  and  dinners  as  were  showered  upon 
the  young  couple,  and  such  compliments  as  the  hand 
some  bride  received,  were  almost  enough  to  turn  one's 
head. 

Annis  was  kept  busy  writing  journal-like  letters  to 
mamma  and  Charles.  And  what  treasures  the  old  jour 
nals  and  letters  are  to-day !  How  Mrs.  Carrington  went 
to  Christ  Church  Sunday  morning  in  "  a  violet  satin  gown 
trimmed  with  fine  silk  ruffles  edged  with  lace,  and  a  white 
satin  petticoat  with  embroideries  in  violet  silk  and  gold 
thread.  A  fine-wrought  lace  scarf  that  her  own  mother 
had  brought  from  Paris,  white  satin  boots  with  gold  lac 
ings,  long  white  silk  gloves  embroidered  in  lavender,  and 
a  white  Neapolitan  hat  with  a  wide  fluted  rim,  trimmed 
with  a  drawn  silk  lining  and  rows  of  piping,  and  a  great 
cluster  of  lilies  and  violets  and  ostrich  plumes." 

The  wedding  veil  was  returned.  Annis  was  to  wear 
the  wedding  gown  later  on,  and  at  a  very  modern  enter 
tainment  quite  late  in  the  century  Jaqueline's  grand 
daughter  won  no  end  of  admiration  in  it. 

So  when  Randolph  Mason  had  given  his  eldest 
daughter  away,  and  kissed  her  good-by  with  a  thousand 
tender  wishes,  he  went  back  to  the  pale  little  son  and  his 
dear  nurse,  as  if  he  had  had  some  sort  of  a  gala  dream 
mixed  up  with  a  whirlwind. 

"  I  wish  Jacky  had  waited,"  said  Charles  with  a  sigh. 
"  I  should  like  to  have  seen  it." 

"  It  wouldn't  have  been  half  so  grand  at  home.  Wash 
ington  is  a  fine  place  for  such  a  thing." 

"Finer  than  Philadelphia?" 
258 


OF   MANY   THINGS. 

"  Oh,  no !  "  Mr.  Mason  smiled,  remembering  the  sim 
ple  church.  There  were  grander  ones  here.  And,  except 
the  Capitol,  the  White  House,  and  parts  of  several 
public  buildings,  there  was  nothing  so  very  grand.  But 
the  concourse  of  people  could  hardly  have  been  matched. 

"  Didn't  Annis  want  to  come  with  you  ?  " 

"  She  did  at  first.  Then  the  wedding  drove  all  other 
desires  out  of  her  mind.  I  was  afraid  she  would  make  a 
time  when  I  started.  But  everything  was  in  such  a 
bustle!" 

"  Couldn't  she  have  come  here  for  a  week  or  two,  be 
fore  we  start  ?  " 

"  How  would  we  have  sent  her  back  ?  " 

"  We  wouldn't  have  sent  her  back  then,"  said  the  boy 
triumphantly. 

His  father  smiled.  "  She  has  grown  so,  and  changed 
some  way.  Her  hair  is  not  quite  so  light.  And  she 
can  chatter  in  French  like  a  native.  Patty  thinks  her 
very  smart." 

"  And  I  have  not  grown  any ! "  he  subjoined  in  a  dis 
consolate  tone.  "  I  am  not  allowed  to  study.  She  will 
get  way  ahead  of  me.  But  she  doesn't  know  Latin,  and 
she  can't  go  to  college." 

And  perhaps  he  could  marry  her.  He  was  not  so  sure 
of  that  now.  Perhaps  he  would  never  marry  anyone. 
But  he  was  glad  Roger  Carrington  had  Jaqueline. 

Annis  tried  very  hard  to  be  sorry  at  not  seeing  her 
mother.  She  was  frightened  because  she  did  not  want 
to  cry  over  it  as  she  had  at  first.  She  had  given  up 
mamma  to  Charles,  and  to  be  sorry  and  want  her  back 
was  selfish.  Then  there  were  so  many  things  to  do,  and 
so  many  pleasures.  There  was  not  time  enough  to  run 
over  to  Aunt  Jane's  every  day,  yet  the  children  were  so 
fond  of  her.  She  knew  some  girls,  too,  who  were  asking 
her  to  supper  every  few  days,  or  to  join  some  party  to  the 

259 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

woods,  or  to  sail  up  or  down  the  river.  It  was  such  a 
lovely  thing  to  be  alive  and  well !  When  that  came  into 
her  mind  her  very  heart  melted  in  pity  for  Charles. 

Then,  it  was  queer,  but  Louis  had  taken  to  calling  her 
his  little  girl.  He  teased  her  sometimes,  but  he  came  to 
take  her  riding  when  she  had  any  spare  hours.  She  could 
hardly  decide  which  was  the  handsomer,  Louis  or  Mr. 
Carrington,  and  she  thought  it  rather  disloyal.  Jaqueline 
said  Roger  was,  by  far. 

And  then  came  the  plans  for  housekeeping.  Roger 
and  she  inspected  some  houses.  It  would  be  more  con 
venient  in  Washington,  but  Georgetown  was  much  pret 
tier.  And  there  were  suburban  districts. 

"  But  think  of  the  winter  nights  in  the  rain  and  the 
mud,  and  sometimes  sleet,  and  the  time  wasted  going  back 
and  forth.  Isn't  it  a  bit  of  patriotism  to  want  to  build  up 
one's  own  city?  We  are  a  small  people  as  yet,  compared 
to  some  other  places.  If  we  don't  increase  and  multiply 
and  spread  out,  and  fill  up  our  vacant  squares,  our  honor 
may  be  taken  from  us." 

"  After  so  noble  an  argument  I  shall  have  to  agree  with 
you  that  it  is  our  bounden  duty  to  remain,"  replied  Jaque 
line  with  an  arch  smile. 

"  Mother  would  like  us  at  Georgetown,  but  she  has 
Ralph  and  his  wife." 

"  Oh,  do  stay !  "  cried  Annis.  "  I  like  Washington  so 
much !  " 

"  The  casting  vote.  We  remain.  Annis,  you  are  to 
come  with  us.  We  couldn't  give  you  up  now." 

"  Until  mamma  comes  home.  Of  course  I  belong  to 
her." 

They  went  down  to  the  old  plantation,  and  the  house 
slaves  made  a  big  feast ;  the  field  hands  had  an  illumina 
tion  of  lanterns  and  big  pine  knots.  But  Annis  thought 
xthe  great  house  lonely.  Then  she  recalled  what  her 

260 


OF   MANY   THINGS. 

father  once  said — when  all  the  children  were  married  she 
would  stay  there  with  her  mother  and  him.  Jaqueline 
and  Patty  and  Varina  would  have  husbands  and  children, 
and  Annis  shivered  at  a  strange  consciousness  of  solitude. 

Jaqueline  had  been  instructed  to  take  her  outfit,  and 
anything  she  wanted,  her  father  said.  Chloe  knew  all 
about  the  bed  and  table  linen :  didn't  she  bleach  it  up  every 
spring  in  May  dew?  Such  a  packing,  such  a  rejoicing 
time  over  missy's  husband  "  that  she  got  at  last,"  which 
meant  nothing  derogatory  nor  that  she  had  made  a  great 
effort;  only  most  of  the  slaves  had  great  faith  in  first 
loves  for  white  folks,  and  a  happy  ending  to  an  engage 
ment. 

There  was  the  house  to  put  in  order  and  the  "  house- 
warming  "  to  give,  a  grand  dinner  for  married  friends 
and  a  dance  for  the  young  people,  when  Louis  was  mas 
ter  of  ceremonies,  and  bright  eyes  grew  still  brighter  with 
pleasure  at  his  notice. 

Almost  before  one  had  noted,  there  were  cool  nights 
and  ripening  foliage,  house-cleaning,  and  preparation 
for  winter.  Ah,  how  lovely  the  banks  of  the  Potomac 
were,  and  Rock  Creak !  Jaqueline  begged  that  they 
should  take  their  first  ride  over  again.  There  were  vari 
ous  first  things  to  do.  The  mother  over  at  Georgetown 
claimed  them  frequently.  Ralph's  wife  was  very  nice  and 
sweet,  but  Jaqueline  brought  a  curious  stir  and  dazzle  in 
the  house,  and  an  atmosphere  as  of  a  spring  morning. 

Charles  had  improved  wonderfully.  There  were  some 
remarkable  springs  up  the  Hudson  that  had  wonderful 
health-giving  properties.  And  when  they  came  back  to 
New  York  he  was  so  taken  with  the  advantages  that  he 
begged  to  remain.  The  doctor  in  whose  charge  he  had 
been,  promised  to  watch  over  him  and  not  allow  him  to 
study  too  severely,  and  a  nice  boarding  place  had  been 
found  for  him  with  a  charming  motherly  woman. 

261 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Oh,  Annis !  "  cried  her  mother,  holding  her  off  after 
the  first  fond  embrace,  "  let  me  look  at  you.  I  have  lost 
my  little  girl !  " 

"  Mamma,  I  couldn't  stay  little  always.  But  the  part 
that  loves  and  thinks  doesn't  change,  and  I  have  tried 
very  hard  sometimes  not  to  want  you  when  I  knew  Charles 
needed  you.  I  am  so  glad  to  get  you  back !  Oh,  you  do 
believe  that?  But  there  is  a  queer  thing  I  don't  under 
stand.  When  we  first  came  to  Virginia  it  was  very  hard 
to  try  to  love  the  others  when  they  took  so  much  atten 
tion." 

She  was  studying  her  mother  with  large,  earnest,  lus 
trous  eyes. 

"  Yes,"  said  Mrs.  Mason,  with  a  fond  embrace. 

"  And  now  I  love  them  all  so  much.  I'm  not  quite  sure 
about  Varina — I  have  not  seen  her  in  so  long.  But  I 
love  you  the  best." 

The  mother  kissed  her  fondly.  No  one,  not  even  her 
husband,  who  was  so  grateful  for  the  sacrifice  she  had 
made,  knew  how  hard  a  trial  it  had  been  to  her. 

Just  as  they  were  considering  whether  they  could 
leave  Annis  at  school  and  do  without  her,  word  came  from 
the  Pineries.  Mrs.  Floyd  had  a  sudden  stroke,  not  so 
very  severe,  but  at  her  time  of  life  a  serious  matter. 

Young  Mrs.  Floyd  and  her  husband  and  Varina  came 
North  a  few  days  after  this.  There  was  a  month  of  slow 
wasting  away.  Mrs.  Brandon  Floyd  had  a  new  baby, 
Marian  was  almost  worn  out,  and  Mrs.  Mason  found  her 
self  the  comforter  again,  and  much  needed.  Then  grand 
mamma  slipped  out  of  life,  and  was  laid  by  the  side  of 
Mr.  Floyd ;  and  Mr.  Mason,  seconded  warmly  by  his  wife, 
insisted  that  Marian  should  spend  the  winter  with  them 
and  rest,  perhaps  make  it  her  future  home. 

Varina  was  a  tall,  rather  distinguished-looking  girl  who 
had  blossomed  somewhat  prematurely  into  womanhood. 

262 


OF   MANY   THINGS. 

Annis  was  still  a  little  girl  beside  her.  She  was  gay  and 
bright,  and  full  of  her  own  good  times.  Jaqueline's  mar 
riage  was  delightful ;  they  had  enjoyed  the  account  in  the 
paper.  Charles  was  well  again,  but  what  a  sad  time  it 
had  been  for  him!  As  for  herself,  she  and  Dolly  were 
the  dearest  of  sisters,  and  had  had  the  best  of  times.  She 
should  coax  papa  to  let  her  return  to  Charleston.  She 
knew  so  many  people  there,  and  it  would  be  just  horrid  to 
go  back  to  the  old  plantation.  There  were  all  the  others, 
and  surely  papa  could  spare  her. 

Dolly  was  very  exigent  as  well.  Mr.  Mason  realized 
that  it  would  be  dull  for  a  young  girl,  with  the  household 
in  mourning,  and  Marian  half  an  invalid  and  dispirited. 
But  he  insisted  upon  a  family  gathering  at  Christmas,  as 
Charles  was  to  come  home. 

Mrs.  Carrington  would  fain  have  had  Roger  a,nd  his 
wife,  and  Mr.  Brandon  Floyd  sent  a  formal  invitation  for 
Jane  and  her  family  at  the  Pineries,  but  she  chose  the 
Masons  instead.  Marian  was  pale  and  grave,  but  im 
proving  under  the  fostering  care  of  Mrs.  Mason,  who 
was  the  kindest  of  sisters.  Bessy  Collaston  had  a  new  lit 
tle  brother ;  and,  with  Dolly's  one  and  Mrs.  Jettson's  four, 
there  was  quite  an  array  of  children. 

But  the  most  joyous  of  all  was  the  welcome  to  Charles. 
Now  he  showed  his  real  improvement.  He  had  some 
color  in  his  cheeks  and  his  eyes  were  bright  and  lustrous ; 
his  voice  rang  with  a  clear  sound. 

Curiously  enough,  he  seemed  almost  a  stranger  to  An 
nis,  and  not  the  little  boy  with  whom  she  had  poured  over 
Froissart.  She  had  outgrown  him;  and  as  for  Varina, 
she  patronized  him  in  a  most  uncomfortable  fashion. 
They  were  all  so  glad  to  see  him  well  once  more  that  no 
one  thought  of  teasing  him,  even  when  he  aired  his  new 
found  knowledge  unduly.  Perhaps  he  was  most  flattered 
by  the  friendliness  of  his  big  brother-in-law  Roger. 

263 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Then  followed  the  dispersion.  It  was  best  that  Annis 
should  stay  at  school  the  coming  year,  and  Jaqueline 
declared  she  could  not  do  without  her.  Truth  to  tell, 
what  with  her  school  friends  and  her  various  amusements, 
Annis  began  to  feel  as  if  Washington  was  her  real  home, 
and  the  plantation  a  place  to  visit.  Her  mother  had  so 
many  long-neglected  duties  to  take  up,  and  Marian  to 
nurse  back  to  health  and  better  spirits.  She  had  done 
without  her  little  girl  so  long,  and  clearly  this  was  to  the 
child's  advantage. 

Meanwhile  the  war  had  gone  on  with  varying  fortunes, 
but  the  navy  of  the  country  had  gained  various  acces 
sions  by  capture  from  the  British  and  alterations  from  the 
merchant  vessels.  None  of  the  coast  cities  had  been  at 
tacked.  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadelphia  had  been 
making  their  defenses  more  secure.  There  was  a  fine  fort 
at  Baltimore.  But  Washington  made  no  advances.  Con 
gress  wrangled  over  a  hundred  points.  The  country  at 
large  was  losing  faith  in  the  administration.  There  was  a 
growing  party  in  favor  of  suing  for  peace  on  the  best 
terms  we  could  get ;  another  clique  were  quite  certain  we 
would  wear  out  England,  as,  after  all,  she  had  made  no 
real  gains,  and  we  had  become  quite  formidable  on  the 
high  seas. 

General  Armstrong,  secretary  of  war,  was  confident 
Washington  would  not  be  attacked;  and  though  he  ad 
mitted  that  defenses  should  be  strengthened,  very  little 
was  done. 

The  downfall  of  Napoleon  and  his  abdication,  and  the 
peace  with  France,  had  released  the  flower  of  the  British 
army,  and  many  warships.  It  was  supposed  Bermuda 
was  their  objective  point,  but  they  were  ready  to  harass 
the  coast  line  from  Florida  to  Maine,  and  filled  many  of 
the  towns  with  apprehension. 


264 


IN   THE   MIDST   OF   WAR. 
CHAPTER    XIX. 

IN  THE  MIDST  OF  WAR. 

'"PHE  summer  of  1813  was  destined  to  rouse  the  legisla 
tors  at  Washington  from  their  supineness.  Some 
fishermen  discovered  a  large  fleet  of  sail  sweeping  in  be 
tween  the  royal  capes  and  settling  at  anchor,  as  if  unde 
termined  what  course  to  pursue.  They  gave  the  alarm; 
and  as  the  ships  sailed  up  the  Chesapeake,  Baltimore  was 
believed  to  be  the  objective  point. 

Commodore  Barney's  little  fleet  was  chased  up  the 
Patuxent.  General  Armstrong's  orders  were  to  burn  it 
if  there  was  danger  of  its  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy.  Then  with  his  men  he  was  to  join  General 
Winder  for  the  defense  of  Washington.  The  vessels 
were  fired  without  a  single  blow,  and  the  men  made  a 
forced  march  across  the  peninsula. 

There  were  no  forts  for  protection,  and  only  a  few  hun 
dred  regulars  and  several  militia  companies.  With  fatu 
ous  obstinacy  it  was  still  believed  Baltimore  would  take 
the  brunt  of  the  attack,  giving  time  to  rally  the  troops  to 
the  defense  of  Bladensburg  if  there  should  be  an  inland 
march.  All  the  adverse  opinions  and  counsel  delayed 
what  might  have  been  done  for  the  protection  of  the  City. 

But  that  August  night,  when  the  intentions  of  the 
enemy  were  beyond  all  doubt,  a  courier  spurred  post 
haste  over  the  heavy,  sandy  roads  and  through  long 
stretches  of  somber  pines  and  giant  oaks,  a  very  prophet 
of  evil.  At  the  little  post-towns  of  Nottingham  and 
Marlborough  the  stentorian  tones  roused  the  people  from 
their  sleep.  "  The  British  have  landed  at  Benedict  and 
are  marching  inland.  To  arms !  to  arms !  " 

At  Bladensburg  he  stopped  at  the  ancient  tavern,  and 
265 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  .WASHINGTON. 

the  quiet  town  was  thrown  into  a  panic.  Everybody  was 
called  out  for  defense.  Then  on  to  Washington,  and  the 
startled  rulers  looked  into  each  other's  faces  in  dismay. 
And  then  Colonel  Monroe  admitted  that  though  there 
were  no  great  treasures  in  Washington,  the  moral  effect 
of  capturing  the  enemy's  capital  would  be  equivalent  to 
a  greater  victory.  There  were  state  papers  that  must  be 
at  once  sent  to  a  place  of  safety,  and  those  who  had  valu 
ables  had  better  fly  with  them. 

General  Armstrong  still  believed  no  large  army  would 
march  forty  miles  from  its  base  of  supplies  and  run  the 
risk  of  being  cut  off,  since  Admiral  Cockburn  could  not 
know  how  well  able  the  City  was  to  defend  itself. 

All  was  wildest  panic.  Everything  in  the  shape  of  cart 
or  wagon  was  loaded  with  cherished  possessions,  and  the 
road  to  Georgetown  looked  like  a  universal  moving  day. 

It  was  decided  to  meet  the  enemy  at  Bladensburg  and 
oppose  the  march  into  Washington,  if  that  was  their  ob 
ject.  Everybody — a  motley  throng,  indeed — was  hurried 
to  the  front,  the  women  and  children  left  to  the  care  of 
servants. 

The  Carrington  household  had  for  days  been  in  the 
deepest  anxiety.  A  fortnight  before  Jaqueline's  little 
son  had  been  born,  to  the  great  joy  of  them  all.  Mrs.  Ma 
son  and  Marian  had  come  up  to  the  City — the  first  time 
Marian  had  visited  the  place  since  her  joyous  girlish  win 
ter  and  its  ill-fated  consequences. 

All  had  gone  on  well,  when  a  sudden  and  utterly  unex 
pected  turn  had  filled  them  with  alarm.  A  fever  had  set 
in,  and  for  several  days  it  had  been  a  fierce  fight  between 
disease  and  skill,  but  there  had  grown  up  a  faint  hope  in 
the  night,  to  be  met  with  tidings  of  such  terrible  im 
port. 

Mrs.  Jettson  had  come,  wild  with  affright. 

"  We  are  going  at  once,"  she  said.  "  What  can  the 
266 


IN   THE   MIDST   OF   WAR. 

wretched  little  army  do  against  four  thousand  trained 
British  soldiers?  And  Admiral  Cockburn,  it  is  said,  has 
sworn  to  be  revenged  for  the  treatment  of  the  English 
minister,  and  that  he  will  compel  Mrs.  Madison  to  enter 
tain  him  and  his  staff  at  the  White  House.  Can  Jaque- 
line  be  moved  ?  " 

"  Only  at  the  risk  of  her  life,"  said  Dr.  Collaston.  "  All 
the  news  has  been  kept  from  her,  though  she  could  not 
have  taken  it  in.  I  have  sent  Patty  and  the  children 
and  some  valuables  over  to  Arlington.  We  must  stay 
here." 

"  But  Marian  and — Annis — can  they  not  join  us?  "  en 
treated  Jane. 

"  Annis  will  not  leave  her  mother.  Marian  may  be  of 
great  service.  She  is  a  most  excellent  nurse.  Even  the 
servants  are  panic-stricken,  and  cannot  be  depended  on." 

"Where  is  Roger?" 

"  At  the  capital.  We  men  may  be  needed  to  defend 
our  homes.  Admiral  Cockburn  is  said  to  be  ruthless. 
General  Winder  has  started  for  Bladensburg.  Heaven 
grant  the  battle  may  be  decided  there!  But  you  had 
better  go  at  once,  for  the  children's  sake." 

"  Oh,  poor  dear  Jaqueline !  " 

"  We  can  only  trust  the  very  slender  reed,"  and  the 
doctor's  voice  was  husky  with  emotion. 

"  If  I  could  do  anything " 

"  No,  you  cannot.  Thank  you  for  all  your  kindness 
in  the  past." 

Mrs.  Madison  has  been  handed  down  by  history  as  the 
one  serene  figure  in  the  turmoil  and  danger.  She  moved 
quietly  to  and  fro,  securing  valuables  and  state  papers 
and  sending  them  away  by  trusty  servants.  The  Presi 
dent  and  several  members  of  the  Cabinet  had  started  for 
the  scene  of  action. 

Mrs.  Mason  and  Marian  watched  by  the  bedside  with 
267 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

minutest  instructions,  while  the  doctor  went  out  on  some 
pressing  business. 

"  A  soger  gemmen  say  he  must  see  Miss  Annis,"  an 
nounced  the  new. butler,  who  had  been  but  a  month  in  his 
place.  "  I  jus'  done  fergit  de  name.  Dar's  flustration 
in  de  berry  air." 

"  To  see  me?  "  asked  the  child  in  surprise. 

"  He  want  de  doctor  awful  much.  Den  he  say  send 
Miss  Annis." 

Annis  held  out  her  hand  to  Marian.  "  Come  with 
me !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  We  will  not  disturb  mamma." 

They  went  down  together.  The  man  in  the  hall  was 
covered  with  dust  and  grime,  and  purple-red  with  the 
heat.  A  soldier,  sure  enough ;  but  the  first  moment  Annis 
drew  back. 

"  Oh,  little  Annis,  don't  be  afraid !  "  and  she  knew  the 
voice.  "  Marian " 

And  so  the  two  met  who  had  just  touched  their  lips  to 
the  cup  of  joy  in  the  spring  of  youth.  A  grave  woman 
half  a  dozen  years  older,  a  man  whose  life  might  be  ended 
this  very  day.  All  these  years  he  had  been  bitter  and  re 
sentful,  but  if  he  were  dying 

"  Can  you  not  fly  at  once  ?  The  battle  has  been  dis 
graceful,  but  what  could  such  an  army  do  against  over 
whelming  odds.  The  whole  thing  has  been  a  piece  of 
shameful  imbecility  in  our  rulers.  The  British  are 
marching  into  Washington." 

"  Then  you  have  not  heard " 

Something  in  Marian's  tremulous  voice  awed  him.  He 
wiped  the  sweat  and  grime  from  his  face. 

"  I  have  not  been  in  Washington  for  three  months." 

"  Mrs.  Carrington  is  lying  at  the  point  of  death." 

Annis  began  to  cry,  and  caught  his  hand. 

"  Then  Heaven  help  you !  No  one  can  tell  what  the 
end  will  be.  Now  I  must  away  to  warn  all  who  can  fly, 

268 


IN   THE   MIDST   OF   WAR. 

and  then  do  the  best  we  can  to  protect  those  who  remain. 
If  possible,  I  will  send  a  guard.  Little  Annis,  good-by, 
if  I  should  never  see  you  again." 

She  threw  her  arms  about  his  neck  with  a  convulsive 
sob.  He  held  out  his  hand  to  Marian,  but  neither  spoke. 
Then  he  rushed  away.  There  was  not  a  moment  to  lose. 
He  strode  over  to  the  White  House,  where  all  was  still 
uncertain,  and  Mrs.  Madison  had  given  orders  for  the 
dinner.  To  procure  wagons  was  a  labor  of  love  and 
infinite  persuasion,  to  say  nothing  of  money. 

Then  the  messenger  came  shouting  that  General  Arm 
strong  had  ordered  a  retreat.  Daniel  Carroll  had  sent 
his  carriage,  but  Mrs.  Madison  refused  to  go  until  the 
President  arrived. 

"  It  will  not  do  for  you  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
British,"  declared  an  officer.  "  That  would  crown  the 
triumph." 

Pale  and  weary  from  his  fruitless  journey,  the  Presi 
dent  and  his  wife  stepped  into  the  carriage  to  be  driven 
across  to  Georgetown,  where  further  difficulties  awaited 
them.  The  opposition  journals  made  merry  over  the 
undignified  flight,  yet  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  it  was  the 
aim  of  both  the  Admiral  and  General  Ross  to  crown  their 
victory  by  the  capture  of  the  most  conspicuous  figures  of 
the  Capital. 

The  British  marched  steadily  on  the  heels  of  the  flying 
foe,  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  exposed  to  the  piti 
less  sun,  and  proceeded  at  once  to  the  Capitol,  which 
they  ransacked  and  then  set  on  fire,  striking  down  anyone 
who  dared  to  raise  a  voice  in  its  behalf.  Then  they 
marched  along  Pennsylvania  Avenue  to  the  White  House, 
chagrined  to  discover  only  a  few  servants  left,  but  grati 
fied  to  find  a  banquet  awaiting  them.  There  had  been 
covers  laid  for  forty  guests.  Dishes  of  all  kinds  were 
ready  in  the  kitchen  to  be  served.  Wines  were  in  the 

269 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

cooler,  handsome  cut-glass  and  silver  trays  of  delicious 
fruit  stood  on  the  sideboard.  The  hungry  officers  and 
men,  scorning  ceremony,  feasted  until  the  place  became 
the  scene  of  the  wildest  orgie.  The  wine  cellar  was 
broken  open  and  its  contents  passed  around,  rooms  were 
ransacked  and  combustibles  piled  up ;  and  as  they  found 
little  worth  carrying  off,  the  match  was  applied,  and  the 
house  that  had  been  the  scene  of  so  many  joyous  occasions 
was  soon  in  flames. 

From  thence  to  the  Treasury  Department,  and  then  to 
the  office  of  the  National  Intelligencer,  whose  editor  had 
denounced  Cockburn  unsparingly  for  his  acts  of  van 
dalism  on  the  coast  and  among  defenseless  towns ;  and  the 
houses  of  some  of  the  more  noted  citizens  were  added  to 
the  conflagration.  Women  flying  for  refuge  were  in 
sulted,  wagons  stopped  and  despoiled  of  their  goods. 
The  few  regiments  could  make  no  stand  against  the  wan 
ton  destruction. 

Suddenly  there  came  a  strange  darkness  over  the  city. 
From  the  far-off  hills  the  wind  began  to  roar  like  another 
ravening  army.  There  were  sullen  mutterings  of  thun 
der.  The  order  was  given  to  retreat,  and  by  the  lurid 
light  the  ranks  re-formed,  though  many,  wearied  out, 
straggled  behind.  The  red  blaze  was  made  visible  a  mo 
ment  by  the  lightning,  when  the  town  seemed  in  a  molten 
glow,  and  then  dense  smoky  blackness. 

As  if  this  was  not  enough,  a  frightful  tornado  seemed 
hurled  from  the  hills  on  the  doomed  City. 

The  roar  of  the  elements  was  terrific.  Trees  were  up 
rooted  and  houses  blown  from  their  foundations,  crashing 
down  in  the  general  ruin. 

All  day  they  had  watched  between  hope  and  fear. 
Jaqueline's  fever  had  abated,  and  she  lay  half  unconscious. 
After  the  soldiers  marched  into  the  City,  and  he  had  seen 
Mrs.  Madison  started  on  her  perilous  journey,  Roger 

270 


IN   THE   MIDST   OF  WAR. 

felt  he  could  be  of  no  farther  service.  The  enemy  would 
wreak  his  vengeance  unopposed.  He  found  there  was 
a  guard  in  citizens'  clothes  keeping  watch  over  his  house 
in  an  inconspicuous  manner.  But  when  the  flames  started 
at  the  Capitol  his  anxiety  was  harrowing.  What  if  they, 
should  continue  their  work  of  devastation  in  this  direc 
tion? 

"  Oh,  do  you  think  we  shall  all  be  burned  up  ?  "  cried 
Annis  in  terror,  dreading  the  sight  and  yet  running  from 
window  to  window. 

No  one  could  guess  the  power  or  purpose  of  the  enemy. 
And  no  one  could  measure  nature's  devastation. 

Dr.  Collaston  was  in  and  out.  Jaqueline  lay,  unheeding 
the  tumult  and  danger. 

"  She  does  not  really  lose,"  he  said.  "  Ross  has  gone 
over  to  the  White  House.  Oh,  the  poor  doomed  City! 
And  relief  is  needed  for  the  wounded  at  Bladensburg. 
Half  the  women  are  crazy  at  their  husbands  being 
sent  to  the  front.  And  all  this  might  have  been 
avoided !  " 

Indeed,  it  transpired  afterward  that  Mrs.  Madison 
had  been  refused  shelter  by  a  shrieking  virago  because 
her  husband  had  been  enrolled  for  the  defense  of  the 
City. 

"  They  are  going  to  the  White  House.  Perhaps  they 
may  not  molest  us,  after  all." 

This  proved  true.  The  ravages  were  continued  over 
eastward.  They  watched  one  building  after  another. 
The  public  rope-walk  was  devoted  to  the  flames.  The 
dockyards  and  arsenal  and  naval  stores,  powder  maga 
zine,  and  a  fine  frigate  just  ready  to  be  launched  were 
fed  to  the  devouring  element  that  roared  in  devastating 
hunger. 

But  that  seemed  nothing  to  the  tornado.  Annis  flew 
to  her  mother's  arms,  and  could  not  be  pacified.  Marian 

271 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

and  Mrs.  Mason  would  not  go  to  bed,  and  Annis  drowsed 
with  her  head  on  her  mother's  shoulder,  asking  now  and 
then  if  morning  had  come. 

It  dawned  presently  over  the  ruined  City.  Rock  Creek 
was  a  rushing  torrent.  The  Potomac  had  overflowed  its 
banks.  Tiber  Creek  was  swollen  out  of  bounds.  Cellars 
were  submerged,  boxes  and  bales  and  furniture  floated 
out. 

The  British  left  their  wounded  behind,  and  when  they 
reached  Bladensburg  there  were  more  than  could  be  cared 
for.  Heartlessly  trusting  them  to  the  mercy  of  the  beaten 
enemy,  they  marched  on,  striking  terror  to  the  smaller 
towns  through  which  they  passed,  and  then  attacking 
Baltimore,  the  heroic  defense  of  which  is  a  matter  of  his 
tory.  General  Ross  was  killed  in  the  first  skirmish,  and 
Admiral  Cockburn  forced  to  withdraw,  and  was  con 
demned  even  by  his  own  government  for  his  ruthless  van 
dalism,  which  had  won  nothing. 

But  the  attack  on  Fort  McHenry  gave  us  one  of  our 
most  beautiful  and  deathless  songs,  and  indeed  seemed 
the  turning-point  of  misfortunes  in  a  campaign  that  had 
been  conducted  with  so  little  foresight  and  sagacity.  But 
even  this  disaster  may  have  been  needed  to  bring  the  war 
ring  factions  together,  and  convince  them  that  to  keep  a 
country  intact  the  strength  of  all  is  the  salvation  of  each 
one,  of  every  home. 

Dr.  Collaston  could  hardly  call  it  hope  in  the  morn 
ing,  but  Jaqueline  had  not  lost  anything  through  the  ter 
rible  night.  Roger  was  nearly  worn  out  with  anxiety 
and  the  work  that  had  devolved  upon  him.  Wounded 
men  were  lying  in  the  streets,  and  had  been  brought  in 
from  Bladensburg. 

"  I  must  get  a  message  over  to  Patty,"  the  doctor  said. 
"  The  end  of  the  bridge  is  burned,  but  there  are  some 
boats.  Something  must  be  done  for  the  relief  of  our  poor 

373 


IN   THE    MIDST   OF   WAR. 

men  who  turned  out  so  bravely  for  the  defense  of  our 
homes." 

Certainly  it  was  a  ruined  city.  Twenty  years  of  labor 
and  interest  and  expenditure  laid  waste,  many  of  the  in 
habitants  homeless,  some  lying  wounded,  not  a  few  dead. 
A  deserted  place,  indeed ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  British 
were  before  Baltimore  that  the  panic  really  subsided. 

The  President  and  Mrs.  Madison  were  among  the  earli 
est  to  return.  Mrs.  Cutts  opened  her  house,  for  the 
White  House  was  a  charred  and  blackened  ruin.  Every 
body  vied  with  attentions.  The  Tayloe  mansion,  called 
The  Octagon,  on  New  York  Avenue,  and  built  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  preceding  century,  by  a  wealthy  planter 
of  Mount  Airy,  was  chosen  for  the  present  home. 
Indeed,  Mrs.  Madison  was  never  to  go  back  to  the  White 
House  as  its  mistress,  but  she  made  a  not  less  notable 
center  elsewhere. 

Slowly  people  returned  with  their  goods  and  stores. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  adjacent  towns  were  generous  with 
assistance.  For  a  month  or  more  Washington  had  a 
continual  moving-day. 

Meanwhile  the  victories  at  Plattsburg  and  the  sur 
render  of  the  fleet  on  Lake  Champlain,  as  well  as  the  sig 
nal  victory  at  Fort  Bowyer,  put  heart  into  the  Americans, 
and  England  seemed  not  indisposed  to  discuss  terms  of 
peace,  convinced  perhaps  a  second  time  that  here  was  an 
indomitable  people,  whose  friendship  was  possible,  but 
whose  conquest  could  never  be  achieved. 

Slowly  Jaqueline  Carrington  came  back  to  life.  The 
intense  heat  had  given  way  to  cooling  breezes,  the  sun  was 
often  veiled  by  drifting  clouds.  For  a  week  there  were 
alternations,  then  a  steady  improvement. 

Temporary  hospitals  had  been  secured.  Some  of  the 
wounded  had  found  shelter  within  their  own  homes  or 
those  of  friends. 

273 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Louis  came  in  one  morning.  He  had  been  among  the 
volunteers  so  hastily  enrolled,  taken  prisoner,  and  then 
allowed  to  go,  as  General  Ross  did  not  want  to  be  ham 
pered. 

"  Collaston,  has  anything  been  heard  of  Ralston  ?  He 
came  into  Washington  the  morning  of  the  battle.  Now 
that  things  are  cleared  up  a  little,  he  is  reported  missing. 
The  British  did  not  stop  to  bury  their  dead,  and  he  cer 
tainly  would  have  been  noted." 

"  I  thought  it  strange  we  did  not  hear.  We  must  make 
inquiries  at  once.  We  have  been  most  fortunate,  except 
for  pecuniary  losses,  and  since  Jaqueline  is  likely  to  be 
restored  to  us  we  have  no  right  to  complain.  I  must  set 
out  to  find  Ralston,  though.  The  country  has  need  of 
such  men." 

It  was  true  that  Arthur  Jettsqn  and  the  doctor  were 
likely  to  be  considerable  losers  by  the  misfortunes  that 
had  overtaken  Washington.  But  they  were  young,  and 
could  recover.  Patty  and  the  two  babies  returned,  and 
she  declared  the  losses  were  really  not  worth  thinking  of, 
since  everybody  had  been  spared. 

When  Jaqueline  was  well  enough  to  sit  up  a  little,  she 
insisted  on  being  taken  to  her  favorite  window,  which 
commanded  a  fine  view  of  tne  City. 

"  While  you  have  had  one  trouble,  you  have  escaped 
another,"  said  her  husband  gravely.  "  Our  beautiful 
Washington — for  it  had  grown  beautiful  to  us,  partly  by 
the  eye  of  faith,  I  suppose — is  no  more.  We  have  had 
war  and  devastation  of  the  elements,  and  must  begin  over 
again.  We  can  tell  our  children  about  Old  Washington, 
if  she  was  not  ancient  in  years ;  but  a  new  one  must  arise 
on  its  ruins." 

"  War !  "  Jaqueline  cried  in  amazement.  And  then  she 
glanced  at  the  destruction,  bursting  into  tears. 

"  Never  mind,  my  darling  wife.     We  have  you  and  the 

274 


IN   THE   MIDST   OF   WAR. 

boy,  thanks  to  your  mother  and  Marian  and  Dr.  Collas- 
ton's  skill.  He  was  faithfulness  itself  through  all  that 
trying  time.  When  you  are  stronger  you  shall  hear  the 
whole  story." 

"And  Louis — is  everybody  safe?  ' 

"  Louis  shouldered  a  musket  and  marched  like  a  trained 
soldier.  Oh,  we  have  some  brave  men  left,  I  assure  you ! 
The  enemy  came;  and  what  we  were  unable  to  do  the 
storm  did — forced  them  to  retreat  before  we  had  been  laid 
quite  in  ruins." 

"  It  is  terrible !  "  said  Annis.  "  I  have  been  driving 
about  with  the  doctor.  The  beautiful  White  House  is 
gone,  and  ever  so  many  places.  And  the  storm  was  ter 
rific.  Oh,  dear!  what  a  horrible  time  it  was!  I  sat  up 
all  night  long  with  mamma  and  Marian." 

"  Dear  Marian !  How  good  you  have  been  to  me ! 
You  and  mother  have  taken  such  excellent  care  of  my 
baby." 

Marian  glanced  up  with  a  grave  smile. 

"  And  no  dear  ones  are  lost  ?  I  suppose  Lieutenant 
Ralston  was  in  the  thick  of  the  fight  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  answered  her  husband,  "  like  many  another 
brave  man.  I  think  we  owe  him  something  also." 

Everything  was  so  changed.  Marian  often  mused  over 
it.  She  felt  like  quite  an  old  woman.  She  was  hardly 
likely  to  marry  now.  She  had  put  her  candle  out,  she  re 
membered.  But  her  heart  gave  a  quick  gasp  when  she 
thought  of  Ralston.  "  Evangeline "  had  not  yet  been 
written,  but  daily  she  felt  moved  to  enact  the  romance, 
to  go  in  search  of  him.  Somehow  she  felt  sure  she  could 
find  him.  And  if  he  was  among  the  dead  she  would  have 
a  right  to  cherish  his  memory,  and  that  happy  episode,  the 
one  brief  romance  of  her  life. 

Dr.  Collaston  came  in.  Yes,  his  patient  was  doing 
nicely.  When  she  could  be  moved  with  safety,  the  air 

275 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

of  the  old  plantation,  with  its  rich  autumnal  fragrance  and 
ripeness,  would  do  her  good.  Patty  should  go  with  her 
for  a  holiday. 

Annis  was  hanging  to  the  doctor's  arm. 

"  Won't  you  take  me  out  with  you  ?  "  she  said  coax- 
ingly.  "  I  like  so  to  go  with  you,  there  are  so  many  things 
to  see." 

"  I  am  going  to  take  Roger  out  on  a  little  business,  if 
everybody  can  spare  him.  Your  turn  may  come  to 
morrow." 

She  nodded  good-humoredly. 

Carrington  followed  his  friend  downstairs.  "  We  have 
news  about  Ralston,"  the  doctor  said.  "  There  is  a  mes 
senger  here  with  tidings.  There  is  no  time  to  lose.  You 
can  hear  the  story  as  we  go  along." 

A  pale,  large-eyed  young  fellow  with  an  anxious  face 
was  awaiting  them;  and  as  they  were  driving  over  the 
old  road  that  had  been  traversed  many  a  time  in  pleasure, 
and  was  to  be  historic,  Carrington  listened  to  the  young 
man's  tale.  A  British  soldier,  he  had  been  wounded  and 
left  on  the  field,  and  someone  had  paused  to  give  him  a 
drink  of  water,  when  the  stranger  had  been  struck  by  a 
stray  shot  and  wounded  in  the  leg.  They  had  made  their 
way  slowly  to  a  deserted  negro  hut,  where  he  had  fainted. 
His  new  friend  had  dressed  his  wound,  which  was  more 
painful  than  serious,  but  both  were  weak  from  exhaustion 
and  loss  of  blood.  The  storm  coming  on,  they  had 
been  glad  of  shelter.  The  next  day  his  new-found 
friend  could  not  walk,  and  his  leg  was  terribly  swollen. 
They  waited  in  the  hope  that  someone  would  find 
them  out.  But  on  the  third  day  the  American  was  ill 
and  delirious.  A  negro  woman  had  discovered  them, 
and  visited  them  daily  with  food,  and  had  attended  to  both 
their  wounds  as  well  as  she  knew  how.  Now  his  com 
panion  had  come  to  his  right  mind,  and  he  was  a 

276 


IN    THE    MIDST   OF   WAR. 

Lieutenant  Ralston.  He  had  begged  him,  Eustace  Staf 
ford,  to  find  his  way  into  the  City  and  hunt  up  a  certain 
Dr.  Collaston  and  tell  him  the  story. 

"  He  is  still  very  ill,"  declared  Stafford.  "  And  he  must 
be  taken  out  of  that  wretched  hole  at  once.  Still,  we  have 
been  very  glad  of  the  shelter." 

"  You  look  ill  yourself " 

"  You  should  have  seen  this  young  fellow  half  an  hour 
ago,"  declared  the  doctor.  "  You  would  have  thought 
him  a  ghost.  He  has  a  bad  wound  in  his  shoulder  that 
has  not  been  properly  treated,  and  healed  up  on  the  out 
side  too  soon.  I  have  a  carriage  here  at  the  door.  When 
Patty  heard  the  story  she  insisted  that  I  should  bring  Ral 
ston  home  at  once.  We  have  plenty  of  room,  and,  after 
all,  have  not  been  so  hard  hit." 

Young  Stafford,  they  found,  had  a  cousin  who  was  a 
major  in  the  English  army.  He  had  been  quite  enamored 
of  a  soldier's  life,  had  been  attached  to  the  staff,  and  was 
a  sort  of  private  secretary  to  his  cousin.  But  the  ro 
mance  of  war  had  been  driven  from  his  youthful  brain  by 
his  first  battle,  that  of  Bladensburg. 

"  But  you  must  have  better  soldiers  than  those  raw 
recruits,"  he  exclaimed,  "  when  you  have  done  such  won 
derful  things  !  Still,  everything  is  so  strange " 

He  glanced  furtively  at  the  two  men,  not  knowing  how 
far  it  was  safe  to  confess  one's  feelings.  The  ruin  at 
Washington  had  filled  him  with  shame  and  dismay, 
and  he  did  not  wonder  that  people  on  every  hand  were  ex 
ecrating  the  British.  Even  the  old  negro  woman  had  de 
nounced  them  bitterly. 

"  Most  of  our  real  soldiers  were  elsewhere.  There  is 
a  great  stretch  of  country  to  protect.  We  have  the  In 
dians  for  enemies,  the  French  occasionally,  but  we  shall 
come  out  victorious  in  the  end,"  said  the  doctor  confi 
dently. 

277 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  Where  are  the  Admiral  and  General  Ross  ? "  asked 
Stafford. 

"  At  Baltimore  now,  where  there  is  a  prospect  of  their 
being  defeated.  We  were  not  prepared  as  we  should 
have  been,  to  our  shame  be  it  said." 

Then  they  lapsed  into  silence. 

"  I  am  afraid  I  have  forgotten  my  way,"  the  youth  ad 
mitted  as  they  passed  a  partly  overgrown  branch  road, 
used  mostly  for  the  convenience  of  farmers.  "  I  tried 
to  mark  it  by  some  sign.  There  was  a  tree  that  had  been 
struck  by  lightning.  And  a  clump  of  oaks." 

"  There  is  a  clump  of  oaks  farther  on." 

"  You  see,  that  day — it  was  horrible  with  the  groans  of 
the  wounded  and  dying.  And  the  awful  heat !  I  tried  to 
crawl  to  a  little  stream,  but  fainted.  And  this  soldier 
came  along  presently,  when  I  begged  him  for  a  drink." 

"  These  are  the  oaks,  I  think,"  said  the  doctor,  who 
knew  the  road  well. 

"  Then  it  is  a  little  further  on." 

They  turned  into  a  cart-path.  In  a  sort  of  opening 
stood  a  blackened  pine  that  had  been  grand  in  its  day. 
After  several  curves  they  left  this  road  and  soon  found 
the  hut. 

Lieutenant  Ralston  was  in  a  bad  condition,  indeed — 
emaciated  to  a  degree,  his  eyes  sunken,  his  voice  tremu 
lous,  his  whole  physique  so  reduced  that  he  could  not 
stand  up.  Stafford  had  made  a  bed  of  fir  and  hemlock 
branches,  and  the  little  place  was  fragrant,  if  otherwise 
dreary. 

"  We  will  not  stop  for  explanations !  "  exclaimed  the 
doctor  briskly.  "  The  best  thing  is  to  get  you  to  some 
civilized  place  and  attend  to  you." 

"  And  the  lad,  too.  I  should  have  died  without  him 
and  poor  old  Judy.  She  will  think  the  wolves  have  eaten 
us,  only  she  won't  find  any  bones." 

278 


IN   THE   MIDST   OF   WAR. 

He  was  lifted  carefully  into  the  carriage,  and  they 
journeyed  homeward  as  rapidly  as  circumstances  would 
permit.  Patty  had  cleared  the  sitting  room  on  the  lower 
floor,  and  a  cot  had  been  spread  for  Ralston.  They  laid 
the  fainting  man  upon  it,  and  the  doctor  proceeded  to 
examine  his  injuries. 

The  bone  in  the  leg  had  been  splintered,  and  a  jagged 
wound  made.  Judy's  simples  had  kept  it  from  becoming 
necessarily  fatal,  but  the  fever  and  the  days  that  had 
elapsed  rendered  it  very  critical. 

"  I  only  hope  he  won't  have  to  lose  his  leg,"  said  Roger. 
"  That  would  be  terrible  to  him." 

"  We  will  try  our  utmost." 

It  was  a  painful  operation,  but  at  last  it  was  over. 
Then  Stafford's  shoulder  was  looked  after,  and  had  to  be 
probed.  Roger  proved  an  invaluable  assistant. 

"  We  may  as  well  have  a  hospital  ward,  and  let  the 
enemy  and  the  patriot  lie  side  by  side.  They  can't  fight, 
and  I  do  not  believe  either  of  them  has  the  vigor  "for  a 
quarrel."  So  another  cot  was  brought  in.  Patty  was 
quite  important,  and  full  of  sympathy  for  Ralston. 

It  was  mid-afternoon  when  Carrington  returned,  and 
they  were  all  anxious  to  hear  the  story.  For  Jaqueline's 
sake  he  made  as  light  of  it  as  possible,  dwelling  con 
siderably  upon  the  heroism  of  both  men,  "  although  the 
English  lad  is  a  mere  boy,  not  twenty  yet.  What  distorted 
ideas  they  get  over  the  water !  "  nodding  his  head.  "  As 
if  we  had  not  been  of  one  race  in  the  beginning,  equally 
courageous,  equally  proud  and  resolute,  and  animated  by 
the  same  love  of  liberty.  Think  how  they  have  waged 
war  with  tyrants  and  wrested  rights  from  kings !  " 

Marian  waylaid  him  in  the  hall. 

"  I  was  listening  inwardly  to  what  you  did  not  say,"  she 
began  tremulously.  "  Does  the  doctor  think  he  will  re 
cover  ?  " 

279 


A  UTTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  He  is  in  a  bad  way,  of  course.  But  the  leg  is  the 
worst  feature.  Oh,  let  us  all  hope!  Things  have  gone 
so  well  with  us  that  I  am  filled  with  gratitude,  and  cannot 
despair." 

Marian's  eyes  were  downcast,  her  face  pink  to  the  very 
roots  of  her  hair ;  and  her  lips  quivered. 

That  evening  Roger  was  sitting  beside  his  wife 
alone,  caressing  the  thin  hand  that  returned  the  fond 
pressure. 

"  Marian  is  in  love  with  Philip  Ralston,"  he  began 
abruptly.  "  Jaqueline,  can't  you  think  of  the  magic 
touch  that  will  bring  these  two  together?  You  found  it 
easy  enough  before." 

"  And  bungled  and  made  no  end  of  trouble,"  she  re 
turned  with  a  sad  smile. 

"  It  was  old  Mr.  Floyd  who  made  the  trouble.  Why 
couldn't  he  have  given  his  daughter  to  the  young  fellow 
who  loved  her  ?  What  I  am  afraid  of  now  is  that  he  has 
ceased  to  care.  Still,  he  has  been  a  favorite  with  women, 
and  no  one  has  captured  him.  An  attractive  man  has  to 
quite  run  the  gauntlet.  And  when  he  thinks  a  woman's 
love  has  failed " 

"  Do  you  speak  from  experience  ?  "  inquired  Jaqueline 
archly,  her  eyes  in  a  tender  glow. 

"  Yes."  There  was  a  rising  color  and  a  half-smile  hov 
ering  over  his  face.  "  It  is  true  that  hearts  are  caught  in 
the  rebound." 

"  But  no  one  caught  you." 

"  Because,  month  after  month,  I  waited.  I  said  at  first, 
'  She  will  marry  Ralston.'  Then  there  were  other  admir 
ers — you  know  there  were  a  host  of  them  more  attractive 
than  I,  but  I  could  have  forgiven  you  for  marrying  Ral 
ston.  If  it  had  been  someone  else  I  should  have  turned 
bitter,  and  that  would  have  been  the  danger-point.  I 
might  have  wanted  to  convince  you 

280 


IN  THE  MIDST  OF  WAR. 

"  That,  Miss  Jacky  Mason, 
I  care  as  little  as  ye  care  for  me," 

paraphrasing  an  old  ballad  and  substituting  her  own 
name,  while  she  glanced  up  laughingly. 

"  Since  we  found  the  making-up  process  so  delightful," 
returned  Jaqueline,  "  we  are  anxious  to  pass  it  around. 
You  see,  now,  Marian  has  no  interest  in  life  but  to  play 
the  part  of  maiden  aunt.  Jane  will  absorb  a  good  deal 
of  her  with  the  most  generous  intentions.  She  is  a  lovely 
nurse,  and  I  think  grandpa's  and  Mr.  Greaves'  influence 
has  mostly  died  out.  They  were  both  so  narrow  and 
dogmatic  about  women  that  they  reduced  her  to  a 
sort  of  slavery.  Mamma  has  brought  her  out  to  a 
sense  of  freedom.  Single  women  may  be  heroic,  yet, 
as  I  remember,  the  Revolutionary  heroines  were  married 
and  mothers,  most  of  them,  and  it  is  the  wife  and  mother 
who  has  the  most  exquisite  happiness." 

"  What  a  long  speech !  We  will  try  and  get  Ralston 
well,  and  then  trust  good-fortune.  There  will  be  no  one 
to  interfere  this  time." 

While  Ralston  lay  tossing  on  a  bed  of  pain,  his  leg 
in  splints  and  bandages,  events  moved  on  rapidly.  The 
bold  exploits  and  undying  courage  that  had  won  such 
brilliant  successes  on  the  seas  had  settled  the  question  of 
sailors'  rights.  England  virtually  admitted  this  while 
still  haggling  with  commissioners.  And  from  having  no 
position  among  nations,  from  being  considered  feeble  and 
disunited,  and  possessing  no  innate  right  to  establish  a 
commerce  of  her  own,  the  United  States  had  won  the  re 
spect  of  the  countries  abroad,  and  to  a  great  degree  har 
monized  the  jarring  factions  at  home. 

The  crowning  battle  of  the  war  was  that  of  New  Or 
leans,  with  Jackson's  brilliant  victory,  though  some  of  the 
preliminaries  had  been  settled  before  this. 

And  one  day  a  messenger  came  rushing  into  town, 
281 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

swinging  his  three-cornered  hat  in  one  hand  and  holding 
the  bridle-rein  in  the  other,  and  cried  out  in  stentorian 
tones,  "  Peace !  peace !  Peace  has  been  declared !  Mr. 
Carroll,  American  messenger,  has  arrived  with  the  Treaty 
of  Peace !  " 

In  spite  of  blackened  ruins  and  heaps  of  debris,  there 
was  a  great  time  in  Old  Washington.  For,  indeed,  it 
seemed  old  now,  since  it  could  boast  of  ruins.  Flags 
were  hung  out.  Neighbors  called  to  one  another.  Then 
a  coach  came  thundering  along  the  avenue,  another  and 
yet  another,  and  stopped  at  the  Octagon  House.  Con 
gress  presented  themselves,  at  least  all  who  could  be  gath 
ered  on  a  short  notice,  to  take  the  news  to  the  President, 
who  had  suffered  considerably  from  the  exposure  and  fa 
tigue,  and  perhaps  from  the  mortification  of  having  been 
a  fugitive  flying  from  the  enemy. 

The  circular  vestibule,  the  white  winding  stairway 
that  was  open  to  the  top,  and  the  drawing  room  to  the 
right  were  crowded  with  guests,  felicitating  their  chief 
and  one  another.  Animosity,  coldness,  and  blame  were 
forgotten.  Peace!  peace!  like  the  refrain  of  some  sweet 
music,  went  floating  around  all  the  space,  and  Mrs.  Madi 
son  was  much  moved  with  emotion.  Strong  men  thanked 
God  with  softened  hearts.  The  conflict  was  over,  and 
now  they  knew  the  bitterness  of  war. 

For  this  year  young  Daniel  Webster  was  in  the  House, 
and  Clay  and  Calhoun  and  men  who  were  to  have  much 
to  do  with  the  nation's  destinies  later  on. 

Houses  were  illuminated,  tar  barrels  were  burned,  and 
the  streets  seemed  fairly  alive  with  people.  Voices  rang 
with  joy. 

True,  the  Treaty  was  to  be  discussed  and  signed,  the 
British  troops  were  to  go  home,  the  news  to  be  carried 
about  on  the  high  seas.  Ports  were  to  be  opened,  and 
"  Madison's  nightcaps  " — barrels  that  had  been  hung  to 

282 


THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW. 

protect  the  rigging  of  ships — were  removed  with  shouts 
of  joy. 

There  was  a  lull  in  Europe.  Prussia  drew  a  long 
breath.  Russia  plumed  herself  on  giving  the  famous 
Corsican  his  first  blow,  while  the  Battle  of  Waterloo  was 
the  last.  France  had  a  king  of  royal  blood  again.  Spain 
was  repairing  her  fortunes ;  while  England  was  counting 
up  her  losses  and  gains,  and  preparing  to  shake  hands  in 
amity  with  the  young  country  across  the  ocean  and  grow 
into  friendship  with  it. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE  OLD   STORY    EVER    NEW. 

T  AQUELINE  CARRINGTON'S  heart  ached  the  first 
J  time  she  was  taken  out  to  drive,  when  destruction  met 
her  on  every  side.  There  was  another  sorrowful  aspect. 
Men  were  getting  about  on  crutches,  sitting  on  the  Capitol 
steps  sunning  themselves.  There  was  an  empty  coat- 
sleeve,  some  scarred  faces,  others  pale  and  wan.  Yes, 
they  had  all  escaped  marvelously. 

She  thought  herself  the  happiest  woman  in  the  world. 
No  one,  she  was  quite  sure,  had  such  a  tender  and  devoted 
husband  or  splendid  baby.  Mother  Carrington  found 
her  affections  quite  divided,  and  the  days  when  Jaqueline 
came  over  to  Georgetown  were  gala  days. 

True,  Preston  Floyd  had  been  already  talked  of  as  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Roger  Car 
rington  had  been  appointed  to  an  excellent  position  in  the 
Treasury  Department,  though  he  was  still  a  great  favor 
ite  with  Mr.  Monroe,  and  Jaqueline  was  not  jealous. 
Arthur  Jettson  had  come  to  be  consulting  architect,  and 
had  still  greater  plans  for  the  new  city.  Annis  had  re 
sumed  her  school,  but  she  was  quite  an  important  little 

283 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

body,  and  sometimes  her  mother  felt  almost  as  if  she  had 
lost  her. 

Lieutenant  Ralston  found  himself  an  admired  hero. 
He  had  been  cool  and  level-headed  through  those  days  of 
the  panic ;  and  it  was  admitted  that  many  of  his  plans  for 
the  defense  of  the  City  would  have  been  excellent.  A 
new  commission  was  made  out,  bearing  the  name  of 
Captain  Ralston;  and  a  position  was  ready  for  him, 
when  he  could  fill  it,  where  his  genius  would  have  full 
scope. 

There  were  many  anxious  days  over  his  leg.  One  of 
the  doctors  said  the  wound  would  never  heal,  and  that 
presently  it  would  be  amputation  or  his  life,  and  con 
sidered  the  delay  a  great  risk. 

"  Oh,  Collaston,"  he  begged,  "  don't  have  me  going 
around  on  a  wooden  stump !  If  I  was  an  admiral,  now,  I 
shouldn't  mind  it,  as  it  would  add  to  the  glory.  But  a 
poor  fellow  who  can't  retire  on  his  fortune " 

"  We'll  fight  to  the  very  last,  Phil.  If  you  could  have 
been  found  sooner ! " 

"  And  some  poor  fellows  were  found  altogether  too 
late.  Well,  the  country  has  learned  a  lesson,  and  per 
haps  with  Paul  Jones  we  have  taught  other  nations  a  les 
son,  not  to  tread  on  us !  Do  your  very  best." 

The  doctor  did  it  in  fear  and  trembling.  For  if  he  cost 
his  patient  his  life,  he  knew  it  would  be  a  great  blow  to  his 
reputation. 

As  for  the  young  lad,  he  soon  began  to  improve.  He 
seemed  quite  stranded,  for  his  cousin's  regiment  had  re- 
embarked  and  was  coasting  southward.  No  inquiries 
had  been  made  about  him — indeed,  he  knew  afterward 
that  the  cousin  had  written  home  that  he  had  been  killed 
at  the  Battle  of  Bladensburg  and  buried  on  the  aeld.  He 
was  a  stranger  in  a  strange  land. 

Ralston  had  grown  very  fond  of  him,  and  he  proved 
284 


THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW. 

himself  an  excellent  companion.  He  was  one  of  quite  a 
large  household,  and  his  father  was  a  baronet,  Sir  Morton 
Stafford.  One  brother  was  in  the  army  at  home,  one  in 
the  Church,  two  sisters  were  married,  and  there  were  four 
younger  than  himself  to  provide  for.  As  soon  as  he 
could  use  his  arm  he  wrote  to  his  father,  and  Dr.  Collaston 
said  cordially,  "  Consider  my  house  your  home  until  you 
hear." 

"  You  are  very  good  to  take  in  a  stranger  this  way,"  he 
returned  with  emotion. 

Marian  remained  with  Jaqueline  when  Mrs.  Mason 
went  home. 

"  I  have  been  such  a  gadabout  of  late  years,"  Mrs. 
Mason  said,  "  that  father  hardly  knows  whether  he  has 
a  wife  and  a  home.  I  must  think  a  little  of  him." 

"  I  wish  you  could  stay,  mamma !  "  pleaded  Annis. 
"  Why  can't  you  move  up  to  Washington  ?  I  like  it  ever 
so  much  better.  There  is  so  much  to  see  and  to  do,  and 
we  are  all  together  here." 

"There  is   Charles.     And  Varina." 

"  But  Patty  and  Jaqueline  and  the  babies  seem  like  a 
great  many  more.  And  the  rides  and  drives " 

"  But  you  have  your  pony.  And  papa  would  take  you 
any  time  with  him." 

"  I  like  the  crowds  of  people,  and  the  pretty  ladies  in 
their  carriages,  and  the  foreign  ministers  are  so  fine,  and 
to  hear  the  men  when  they  talk  in  the  House,  and  the  girls 
give  little  parties.  Oh,  mamma,  I  love  you,  and  I  want 
you  here,  but " 

Her  mother  smiled.  Yes,  life  on  the  plantation  was 
dull.  And  the  jealous  little  girl  was  being  weaned  away. 

"  We  are  losing  our  children  fast,"  she  said  to  her 
husband. 

Marian  and  Jaqueline  by  slow  degrees  slipped  into  the 
interchange  of  thought  that  real  friendship  uses.  It  had 

285 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

not  the  girlish  giddiness  of  youth ;  both  had  learned  more 
of  the  realities  of  life. 

"  But  did  you  ever  love  Mr.  Greaves,  Marian  ?  "  Jaque- 
line  ventured  one  afternoon,  as  she  sat  with  her  baby  on 
her  lap.  He  was  so  lovely  that  she  envied  the  cradle 
when  she  put  him  in  it,  and  liked  to  feel  his  soft  warm 
body  on  her  knees. 

"  I  didn't  at  first.  Oh,  Jaqueline,  brother  Randolph  is 
so  different  from  father !  We  never  begged  or  teased  or 
coaxed  things  out  of  him  as  you  children  used  to.  And 
mother  expected  us  to  obey  the  instant  we  were  spoken 
to.  Then — I  did  not  know  that  Lieutenant  Ralston  had 
been  up  until  some  time  afterward.  Dolly  found  out  that 
he  had  been  insultingly  dismissed.  Papa  questioned  me 
about  the  acquaintance  and  my  visit  to  brother's,  and  was 
awfully  angry.  Jack,  did  you  plan  it?" 

"  I  put  things  in  train,  simply.  I  did  not  know  how 
they  would  come  out." 

"  Papa  accepted  Mr.  Greaves  for  me.  I  meant  to  tell 
him  the  story  and  decline  his  hand.  But  it  was  quite  im 
possible.  I  could  never  talk  freely  to  him.  He  did  not 
ask  me  if  I  loved  him.  He  had  certain  ideas  about  wives. 
But  he  was  gentlemanly  and  kind,  and  I  had  no  liberty  at 
home.  I  began  to  think  it  would  be  nice  to  be  free,  to  go 
out  without  watching,  to  write  a  letter,  to  have  some  time 
of  my  very  own.  I  had  said  to  papa  that  I  would  never 
marry  him,  and  he  replied  that  I  should  never  marry  any 
body,  then.  Suddenly  I  gave  in.  I  begged  papa's  pardon 
for  all  the  dreadful  things  I  had  said,  and  accepted  Mr. 
Greaves  as  my  future  husband.  But  I  felt  as  if  I  had 
been  turned  into  stone,  as  if  it  was  not  really  my  own  self. 
That  self  seemed  dead.  I  went  round  as  usual,  and  tried 
to  take  an  interest  in  everything,  but  nothing  really  mat 
tered.  Did  you  think  me  queer  and  strange  that  Christ 
mas?" 

286 


THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW. 

"  You  certainly  were  cold,  apathetical." 

"  That  is  just  the  word.  Papa  was  formal  and  dog 
matic  and  arbitrary, — poor  papa !  it  is  unfilial  to  say  these 
things  about  him, — but  mamma  always  seemed  to  get 
along.  Mr.  Greaves  was  more  gentle,  and  used  to  ask 
what  I  would  like;  and  I  do  believe  he  loved  me;  pitied 
me;  and  I  couldn't  help  feeling  grateful.  Then  when 
he  had  the  first  stroke  papa  said  it  would  be  dis 
honorable  to  withdraw,  and  he  should  be  very  angry  if 
I  contemplated  such  a  thing.  Dolly's  marriage  was  on 
the  carpet.  She  seemed  so  young,  so — yes,  silly,"  and 
Marian  half  hid  her  blushing  face.  "  Could  I  ever  have 
been  so  silly,  Jaqueline  ?  " 

"  We  all  go  through  the  rose-path  of  sweetness  when 
we  are  in  love,"  returned  Jaqueline.  "  I'm  silly  myself 
at  times.  Marian,  did  you  know  that  Mr.  Ralston  wrote 
again  ?  " 

"  Wrote  again — then  he  did  not  forget  ?  "  She  raised 
her  soft  eyes,  suffused  with  exquisite  surprise. 

"  He  wrote  when  he  thought  you  were  free  again.  I 
always  felt  sure  you  did  not  get  the  letter.  He  took  some 
precautions,  and  was  confident  you  must  have  had  it, 
though  grandpa  returned  it  without  a  word !  " 

"  I  never  heard  from  him.  Jane  said  when  your 

engagement  was  broken "  Marian  paused  and 

flushed. 

"  That  he  would  marry  me." 

Marian  nodded.  It  had  given  her  a  heartache,  she  re 
membered.  So  long  as  he  married  no  one  he  did  not 
seem  so  completely  cut  off  that  she  must  cast  him  utterly 
out  of  her  life. 

"  Well,  you  see  he  did  not.  I  think  now  I  could  not 
have  married  anyone  but  Roger,  if  I  had  waited  ten 
years." 

"  Then,  you  know,  came  Mr.  Greaves'  death  and 
287 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

father's,  and  mother's  failing  health.    I  feel  quite  like  an 
old  woman." 

"  At  five-and-twenty !  Nonsense !  See  how  young 
mamma  is !  " 

"  She  is  lovely,  Jaqueline ! "  with  enthusiasm. 

"  I  don't  know  what  papa  would  do  without  her." 

What  a  beautiful  thing  it  was  to  be  so  dear  to  anyone 
that  he  or  she  could  not  do  without  you ! 

"You  saw  Ralston  that  dreadful  morning?" 

"  Yes."  Marian  buried  her  face  in  her  hands.  Some 
feeling  of  unknown  power  connected  with  her  youth  shook 
her,  thrilled  her ;  yet  she  strove  to  put  it  aside.  "  I 
prayed  I  might  not  go  back  to  that  time,"  and  her  voice 
was  tremulous ;  "  then  when  we  all  thought  him  dead 
I — I  let  myself  go.  It  is  shameful  for  a  woman  when  a 
man  has  forgotten  her." 

"  He  has  made  tremendous  efforts  to  forget — I  know 
that,"  and  the  sound  like  a  smile  in  her  voice  made  Mari 
an's  face  crimson  again.  "  But  I  am  sure  he  has  not 
succeeded  any  better  than  Roger  did.  And  if  he  should 
be  unfortunate  for  life " 

"  Then  I  should  want  to  go  to  him.  No  one  has  any 
right  to  order  my  life  now.  Would  it  be  very  unwom 
anly?" 

"  No.  And  you  must  go  to  Patty's.  She  thinks  it  so 
queer,  but  I  said  you  hated  to  leave  me.  Marian,  if  it 
comes  a  second  time  you  will  not  refuse  ?  " 

"  I  think  I  hadn't  the  courage  to  really  refuse  the  first 
time,"  and  she  smiled. 

Jaqueline  had  more  delicacy  than  to  repeat  what  Annis 
had  said,  and  had  forbidden  her  to  carry  anything  like 
gossip,  "  for  a  little  girl  who  gossips  will  surely  be  an  old 
maid.  And  you  will  want  a  nice  husband,  I  am  certain." 

"  Oh,  yes !  "  cried  Annis.     "  And  a  lot  of  pretty  babies." 

"  Then  never  carry  tales." 
288 


THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW. 

"  But  he  is  always  asking  me  about  Marian,  and  why 
she  doesn't  come  ?  " 

So  they  sent  word  they  might  be  expected  on  a  cer 
tain  day,  and  baby  and  nurse  and  Annis,  as  soon  as  school 
closed. 

How  many  times,  lying  here,  Philip  Ralston  had  lived 
over  that  sweet,  foolish,  incomprehensible  love  episode — 
the  obstinate  regard,  the  indignation  that  had  followed  it, 
the  hard  thrusts  with  which  he  had  pushed  her  out  of  his 
memory.  She  had  gone  only  momentarily.  Her  sweet 
youth  had  been  spent  in  devotion  to  her  self-indulgent, 
inexorable  father, — he  knew  how  acrimonious  Mr.  Floyd 
could  be, — and,  then,  her  stern,  rigid  mother.  Had  they 
taken  all  her  sweetness?  He  had  half  looked  for  some 
sign  when  she  had  finished  all  her  duties.  Mrs.  Jettson 
had  outlived  the  romance  of  it,  and  lost  patience  with 
Marian.  Besides,  she  was  absorbed  with  her  own  family. 
There  were  so  many  pretty  girls,  and  Marian  was  getting 
to  be  quite  an  old  maid,  in  the  days  when  girls  married  so 
young. 

And  when  he  had  met  her  that  eventful  morning  he 
had  probable  death  before  him,  and  was  tongue-tied. 
Did  she  think  he  had  forgotten  all  ? 

They  trooped  in  together,  Patty  leading  the  procession ; 
Jaqueline,  still  a  little  pale,  but  lovelier  than  ever,  with  her 
boy  in  her  arms,  and  Marian  with  the  lost  youth  back  of 
her.  She  was  too  sincere  to  affect  astonishment;  and 
he  had  improved — was  neither  so  gaunt  nor  so  ghastly  as 
when  he  first  came.  She  took  his  hand — did  she  make  a 
confession  in  the  pressure?  He  felt  suddenly  self-con 
demned,  as  if  he  had  misjudged  her  some  way,  and  hum 
ble,  as  if  he  had  nothing  good  enough  to  offer  her.  But 
he  glanced  up  in  the  soft  eyes — her  life  had  not  been 
very  joyous,  she  was  by  no  means  a  rich  woman,  and  if 

she  cared  most  for  home  and  happiness 

289 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

She  did  not  hear  what  they  were  saying  at  first.  There 
was  a  sound  as  of  rushing  water  in  her  ears. 

"  Oh,  yes !  "  he  answered,  with  an  hysterical  laugh,  "  I 
am  to  keep  my  own  two  legs  to  go  upon.  I  owe  it  all  to 
Collaston,  who  stood  between  me  and  surgeons'  knives, 
and  brandished  his  war  club  until  they  retreated.  I  shall 
lie  here  in  supreme  content  until  he  bids  me  arise  and 
walk." 

What  was  it  went  over  Marian's  face.  Not  disap 
pointment,  but  an  inexplicable  tenderness,  as  if  she  could 
have  taken  up  the  burden  cheerfully,  as  if  she  were  almost 
casting  about  for  some  other  burden. 

"  Poor  girl !  "  he  said  to  himself ;  "  she  has  devoted  her 
sweetest  years  to  others,  and  someone  ought  to  pay  her 
back  in  love's  own  coin." 

Stafford  had  improved  greatly  and  gained  flesh.  He 
had  a  fair,  rather  ruddy  English  complexion  and  light 
hair,  with  the  unusual  accompaniment  of  dark-brown 
eyes ;  and,  though  rather  unformed,  had  a  fine  physique, 
which  was  as  yet  largely  in  the  bone,  but  would  some  day 
have  muscle  and  flesh. 

The  loss  and  ruin  of  Washington  had  been  news  to 
Ralston,  though  he  had  known  the  march  of  the  van 
dals  was  inevitable.  Annis  interested  and  amused  him  in 
her  talk.  She  was  a  very  pronounced  patriot  in  these  days. 

Eustace  Stafford  seemed  quite  bewitched  with  her.  He 
came  over  every  afternoon  to  bring  word  of  Ralston,  and 
perhaps  to  have  an  encounter  of  words  with  Annis.  This 
day,  while  there  were  so  many  to  entertain  his  friend,  he 
stole  off  to  school  to  walk  home  with  her,  though  there 
was  not  a  cloud  in  the  sky  that  could  give  him  a  shadow 
of  excuse. 

She  was  going  to  walk  some  distance  with  one  of  her 
mates.  "  Perhaps  it  would  tire  you,"  she  said  mis 
chievously. 

290 


THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW. 

"  I  have  been  in  the  house  all  the  morning,"  was  the 
reply. 

"  Did  they  bring  the  baby  ?  It's  the  most  beautiful 
baby  in  the  world,  isn't  it  ?  " 

"  I  haven't  seen  all  the  babies  in  the  world "  a 

little  awkwardly. 

"  But  he  ought  to  be  able  to  tell  whether  one  is  pretty 
or  not,  oughtn't  he,  Eliza  ?  " 

Eliza,  thus  appealed  to,  hung  her  head  and  said,  "  Per 
haps "  frightened  and  yet  delighted  to  comment  on 

a  young  man's  taste. 

"  Perhaps  British  babies  are  different,"  was  Annis' 
rather  teasing  comment. 

"  I  think  babies  are  a  good  deal  alike " 

"  No,  they  are  not,"  and  she  put  on  a  pretty  show 
of  indignation.  "  I  think  you  are  not  capable  of 
judging." 

"  I  am  sure  I  am  not,"  he  said  with  alacrity.  "  They're 
kept  in  a  nursery  at  home,  you  know,  and  have  a  play 
ground  out  of  the  way  somewheres." 

"  I  am  very  glad  I  am  not  an  English  child,  aren't  you, 
Eliza  ?  Poor  things !  to  be  stuck  out  in  a  back  yard !  " 

"  My  aunt  and  cousin  are  going  to  England  as  soon  as 
traveling  is  safe,"  said  Eliza,  with  a  benevolent  inten 
tion  of  pouring  oil  upon  the  troubled  waters.  "  He  is 
going  to  some  college." 

"  There  are  fine  colleges  in  England.  There  are  very 
few  here." 

"  We  haven't  so  many  people.  Charles — that's  my 
brother — went  through  Harvard,  which  is  splendid,  when 
he  was  spending  some  time  in  Boston.  And  he  may 
go  to  Columbia.  That's  in  New  York,  where  he  is  at 
school." 

"  New  York  is  a  large  city.  The  English  held  it  in 
the  Revolutionary  War." 

291 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  But  they  had  to  march  out  of  it,"  said  the  patriot. 
"  And  they  had  to  march  away  from  Baltimore.  And 
now  they  will  have  to  march  away  from  the  whole  United 
States,  after  they  have  done  all  the  harm  they  could  and 
killed  off  the  people  and  almost  murdered  poor  Lieutenant 
Ralston." 

"  But  that  is  war.  I'm  sorry  there  should  ever  be  war. 
I  wouldn't  have  it  if  I  was  a  king.  But  your  people  de 
clared  war,"  remembering  that. 

"  How  could  we  help  it,  when  our  poor  sailors  were 
snatched  from  their  own  vessels  and  made  to  fight  against 
us  or  be  beaten  to  death  ?  Do  you  suppose  we  can  stand 
everything?  We  were  altogether  in  the  right,  weren't 
we,  Eliza  ?  " 

Eliza  glanced  furtively  at  the  very  good-looking  face, 
scarlet  with  anger  and  mortification,  and  wondered  how 
Annis  could  get  in  such  a  temper  with  him. 

"  I  don't  know  about  the  causes  of  war,"  she  said  hesi 
tatingly.  "  Some  people  blame  Mr.  Madison " 

"  There  are  Tories  always.  I've  heard  papa  tell  how 
many  there  were  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  But,  you 
see,  we  wouldn't  have  won  if  we  had  not  had  right  on  our 
side,"  she  added  triumphantly. 

"  But  Napoleon  won  in  a  great  many  battles,"  Stafford 
ventured. 

"  Perhaps  he  was  right  then,"  with  emphasis. 

This  casuistry  nonplussed  the  English  boy.  If  Annis 
wasn't  so  sweet  and  pretty ' 

Eliza  had  to  say  good-by  reluctantly. 

"  Let  us  go  this  way,"  proposed  Annis. 

"  This  way  "  brought  them  to  the  defaced  and  injured 
Capitol.  Annis'  scarlet  lip  curled. 

"  It  is  a  shame,"  he  acknowledged.  "  And — if  it  will 
do  you  any  good,  I'm  awfully  sorry  that  I  came  over  to 
fight.  But,  you  see,  we  don't  understand.  So  many  peo- 

292 


THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW. 

pie  think  that  after  all  England  did  for  the  Colonies,  they 
had  no  right  to  rebel,  and  that  she  still  has  some 
claims " 

"  All  she  did !  "  exclaimed  the  fiery  censor.  "  She  per 
secuted  the  Puritans,  and  they  came  over  to  a  horrid  wil 
derness.  She  took  New  York  away  from  the  Dutch. 
And  she  sent  shiploads  of  convicts  over  to  Virginia  to  be 
a  great  trouble  to  the  nice  people  who  had  grants  of  land. 
And  she  said  we  shouldn't  trade  anywhere " 

"  If  the  heads  of  government  could  understand ;  or  if 
the  people  could  see  how  fine  and  heroic  and  noble  the 
Americans  are,  I  think  they  would  refuse  to  come  over 
and  fight  them.  I  am  glad  they  are  going  away.  And 
when  I  get  home  I  shall  tell  everybody  how  brave  they 
are,  and  of  the  splendid  homes  they  have  made.  And  per 
haps  if  Captain  Ralston  hadn't  stopped  to  give  me  a 
drink  and  bandage  my  wound  he  might  have  found  a  bet 
ter  place  of  refuge.  I  know  my  father  will  be  grateful, 
for  I  think  he  saved  my  life,  and  came  mighty  near  los 
ing  his  own.  I  shall  always  be  glad  I  didn't  really 
fight.  I  was  struck  before  I  fired  my  musket.  And  Dr. 
Collaston  is  just  like  a  brother.  I  like  you  all  so.  I  shall 
hate  to  go  away."  The  words  poured  out  with  confused 
rapidity. 

"  I  hope  you  will  have  the  courage  to  tell  the  truth," 
she  replied  severely.  "  I  have  heard  that  some  of  the 
English  think  we  are  black,  like  the  slaves  they  brought 
over  to  us.  And,  do  you  know,  they  have  been  stealing 
them  again  and  carrying  them  off  to  the  Bermudas.  Or 
they  believe  we  have  turned  into  wild  Indians." 

"  They  don't  know,"  he  said  again  weakly. 

"  Wasn't  Mr.  Adams  over  there  a  long  while — and  the 
great  Mr.  Benjamin  Franklin,  and  Mr.  Jay,  and  ever  so 
many  others?  We  send  a  minister  to  them — not  a  real 
preacher,"  in  a  gracious,  explanatory  way  that  made  her 

293 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

more  fascinating  than  ever,  "  but  to  discuss  affairs ;  so 
they  ought  to  know  whether  we  are  black  or  white." 

"  Oh,  they  do  at  court !  If  I  could  make  you  under 
stand "  his  boyish  face  full  of  perplexity. 

"  I  think  I  do  understand  when  I  see  Washington  in 
ruins.  And  I  shall  be  glad  when  every  Englishman  goes 
back.  We  don't  go  over  to  England  and  burn  and  de 
stroy." 

He  had  a  vague  idea  there  was  something  to  be  said  for 
his  side,  but  he  did  not  just  know  what.  It  seemed  rather 
ungrateful,  too,  as  he  was  a  pensioner  on  the  hospitality 
of  her  brother-in-law.  It  was  extremely  mortifying, 
since  his  cousin  had  been  intrusted  with  money  for  him. 
So  he  was  silent,  but  that  did  not  suit  the  little  lady,  who 
enjoyed  the  warfare  like  a  born  soldier. 

She  was  always  "  saving  up  "  disgraceful  incidents  she 
heard,  to  tell  him. 

"  You  are  pretty  hard  on  the  young  fellow,"  Roger 
said  to  her  one  day.  "  We  must  forgive  him  a  good  deal 
for  his  devotion  to  Ralston." 

"  But  think  how  you  and  doctor  brother  went  out  and 
gathered  up  the  wounded,  and  there  were  some  British 
among  them  as  well.  He  ought  to  be  very  grateful." 

"  I  think  he  is.     And  he  is  a  nice  lad." 

Their  skirmishes  were  very  amusing  to  the  family. 
Patty  really  admired  the  young  fellow,  he  seemed 
such  a  big,  innocent-hearted  boy;  but  she  enjoyed  post 
ing  Annis  as  to  her  side  of  the  argument. 

"Are  you  going?"  Captain  Ralston  said  to  Marian 
as  they  were  making  preparations  for  departure. 

"  You — you  do  not  need  me,"  she  murmured  as,  hold 
ing  her  hand,  he  drew  her  down  nearer,  the  pillow. 

"  I  suppose  everybody  else  does,"  he  declared  pettishly. 
"  You  never  considered  me.  You  did  not  really 

care " 

294 


THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW. 

There  were  tears  in  her  eyes  as  she  tried  to  turn  away. 

"  Perhaps  when  the  others  are  all  dead  and  gone,  and  I 
am  an  old  man,  you  may  remember  what  you  confessed 
those  two  blessed  days.  Or  you  may  recall  it  over  my 
grave." 

"  I  deserve  it  all,"  she  returned  meekly.  "  I  tried — 
oh,  yes,  I  did;  but  I  was  weak " 

"  Is  it  too  late  to  go  back  ?  " 

"  Come,  Polly !  "  cried  Jaqueline.  Sukey,  the  general 
factotum  at  the  Carringtons',  called  Marian  "  Miss 
Polly."  "  Can't  be  boddered  wid  no  sech  outlandish  name 
as  Miss  Ma'yan — dat  kinks  my  tongue  up  like  a  bit  a 
'  yalum,'  "  she  declared. 

"  Polly — you  will  come  to-morrow  ?  " 

"  Yes — yes,"  with  a  scarlet  face.     "  If  you  want  me." 

"  I  want  you.    I  have  a  great  deal  to  say  to  you." 

But  it  took  many  to-morrows  to  get  it  all  said.  There 
were  rough  places  and  doubts,  intensified  by  the  experi 
ences  Ralston  had  gone  through,  and  the  nervous  strain 
of  not  only  the  long  illness,  but  the  almost  certainty  there 
had  been  at  one  time  of  his  losing  his  leg.  That  danger 
was  really  over,  but  a  great  deal  of  carefulness  had  to  be 
observed.  And  few  indeed  can  bring  back  the  sparkle 
to  the  cup  of  youth,  when  the  freshness  is  no  longer  there. 

Marian  grew  more  girlish,  as  if  the  hands  of  time  were 
running  the  other  way.  The  force  that  had  impelled  her 
to  middle  life  was  removed.  She  had  gained  a  certain 
experience,  quite  different  from  the  man  who  had  been 
mixing  with  the  world.  But  what  mattered  when  they 
came  back  to  the  level  of  love? 

Congress  held  its  session  at  Blodgett's  Hotel.  It  is  true 
there  were  heated  discussions  on  the  terms  of  peace,  con 
tradictions,  and  dogmatic  assertions.  Perhaps  the  meet 
ings  at  the  Octagon  House,  and  the  sweet,  affable  mis 
tress  had  much  to  do  with  softening  asperities.  Every- 

295 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

body,  it  seemed,  came,  and  it  was  conceded  that  we  had 
gained  a  good  deal  in  the  respect  of  foreign  nations. 
Commerce  took  on  a  brisk  aspect.  War  vessels  came  into 
port,  and  though  they  did  not  lay  aside  all  their  defenses, 
— for  the  high  seas  were  still  infested  with  privateers, — 
they  took  on  the  cargoes  of  industry  instead  of  muni 
tions  of  war.  It  was  found  now  that  we  had  made  strides 
in  manufacturing  ordinary  goods,  though  women  were 
delighted  with  the  thought  of  once  more  procuring  silks, 
satins,  velvets,  and  lace  without  extraordinary  risks. 

Eustace  Stafford  spent  much  of  his  time  exploring 
Washington,  taking  long  walks  and  numerous  drives  with 
the  doctor.  The  beautiful  Potomac,  the  towns  along  its 
edge,  the  falls  that  in  a  cold  spell  had  just  enough  ice  to 
make  them  wonderful  and  fairy-like,  Port  Tobacco  that 
had  once  been  a  thriving  place,  the  inlets  and  creeks  and 
the  fine  and  varied  Virginia  shore,  and  the  magnificent 
Chesapeake  dotted  with  islands.  And  there  was  Annapo 
lis,  destined  to  grow  more  famous  as  years  went  on. 

He  had  not  half  explored  the  country  when  word 
came  from  his  father,  inclosing  a  draft  to  bring  him  home 
and  reimburse  the  friends  who  had  sheltered  him  with 
such  cordiality. 

"  I  am  sorry  enough  to  leave  you,"  he  said  with  deep 
emotion.  "  I  feel  like  becoming  an  out-and-out  Ameri 
can,  but  I  shall  never  be  a  soldier." 

"  Not  in  case  of  necessity  ?  "  said  Patty  with  charming 
archness. 

"  Of  course  if  I  had  a  home  here  I  should  defend  it 
to  the  last  drop  of  blood  in  my  veins — yes,  even  against 
my  own  kindred,"  and  he  blushed  with  a  feeling  akin  to 
ardent  patriotism  that  surprised  himself.  "  I  think  we 
only  need  to  understand  each  other's  governments  better 
to  be  good  friends.  There  is  something  grand  here.  It 
may  be  the  largeness  of  everything,  and  the  aspirations, 

296 


THE  OLD  STORY  EVER  NEW. 

the  sense  of  freedom,  and — well,  that  certain  equality. 
You  are  not  bound  about  by  rigid  limits." 

Mr.  Carrington  said  Stafford  must  go  to  one  levee, 
though  that  there  were  such  throngs  now  that  it  was 
hardly  comfortable.  Ralston  insisted  that  he  also  must 
pay  his  respects  to  Mrs.  Madison,  for  now  he  could  get 
about  on  crutches,  but  it  was  not  considered  safe  to  bear 
any  great  weight  upon  his  injured  limb  as  yet. 

It  was  quite  a  fine  scene,  Stafford  admitted.  There  was 
a  great  variety  in  dress,  the  older  men  keeping  to  the  Con 
tinental  style  largely,  with  flowing  frills  to  their  shirt 
fronts  and  lace  ruffles  at  their  wrists,  velvet  smallclothes 
and  silk  stockings,  and  hair  tied  with  a  black  ribbon  or 
fastened  in  a  small  silk  bag. 

Some  of  the  younger  men  wore  their  hair  curling  over 
their  shoulders.  There  were  gorgeous  waistcoats,  the 
upper  part  flowered  satin,  and  then  a  finishing  of  scarlet 
that  came  halfway  to  the  knee,  the  coats  turned  back  and 
faced  with  bright  colors.  Mrs.  Madison  was  resplendent 
in  her  red  turban,  with  nodding  ostrich  plumes,  and  the 
row  of  short  black  curls  across  her  white  forehead,  and 
her  gown  of  cream  satin,  of  so  deep  a  tint  as  to  be  almost 
yellow,  with  its  abundant  trimming  of  scarlet  velvet. 

Ralston  was  quite  a  hero  for  his  misfortunes  and  his 
counsels,  which  had  averted  some  disaster  and  would  have 
saved  much  more  if  they  had  been  followed.  Everybody 
could  see  the  blunders  and  the  supineness  that  had 
really  invited  such  a  catastrophe.  But  peace  had  softened 
many  of  the  animadversions,  and  the  charming  sweetness 
of  the  first  lady  of  the  land  healed  many  differences. 
It  was  true  that  the  two  later  years  of  the  administration 
went  far  toward  redeeming  the  mistakes  of  the  earlier 
part. 

Annis  had  plead  hard  to  go,  but  Jaqueline  had  not 
thought  it  best. 

297 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

"  You  and  Mr.  Stafford  will  be  sure  to  get  in  a  quarrel," 
she  said  laughingly.  "  There  will  be  plenty  of  levees  for 
you  to  attend  when  you  are  older.  And  the  Octagon 
House  has  not  the  room  of  the  poor  burned  mansion.  It 
is  always  crowded." 

Then  Eustace  Stafford  said  good-by  with  great  grief  to 
the  people  he  had  come  to  fight,  and  found  among  them 
the  warmest  of  friends.  He  had  not  been  alone  in  his  ex 
perience. 

Before  Congress  adjourned  a  bomb  was  thrown  into 
the  camp.  Since  Washington  was  a  heap  of  ruins  and 
would  have  to  be  rebuilt,  why  not  remove  it  to  some  more 
advantageous  location? 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

ANNIS. 

LJOW  near  the  Capital  City  came  to  be  handed  down 
in  history  as  Old  Washington  its  denizens  of  to-day 
will  never  know.  There  were  many  cogent  reasons  for 
changing  it.  It  had  grown  so  slowly;  it  would  require 
an  immense  amount  of  money  to  rebuild  it;  the  place 
had  never  taken  root  in  the  affections  of  the  whole 
country. 

But,  then,  it  was  the  city  of  Washington  and  the  old 
worthies  who  had  made  the  country.  There  was  Florida 
for  the  southern  point,  as  well  as  Maine  for  the  north 
eastern;  there  were  the  great  Mississippi  and  Louisiana, 
as  well  as  the  lake  countries.  Was  it  not  nearly  the 
center  ? 

Men  like  Arthur  Jettson  set  about  retrieving  their  for 
tunes  and  showing  their  faith  in  the  place.  Mrs.  Madi 
son  made  it  as  agreeable  as  possible  to  foreign  ministers 
and  their  wives,  and  guests  from  the  more  important 

298 


ANNIS. 

cities.  Colonel  and  Mrs.  Monroe  added  to  the  attrac 
tions.  The  Capitol  was  repaired  slowly,  but  it  was  two 
years  before  the  White  House  was  undertaken. 

The  scars  were  all  healed  long  ago.  The  broad  ave 
nues  stretch  out  with  handsome  residences,  and  the 
streets  that  little  Annis  thought  so  funny  because  they 
were  "  like  the  A  B  C  of  the  spelling  book  one  way,  and 
the  first  lesson  in  the  arithmetic  the  other  way,"  have 
filled  up  the  vacant  spaces  with  rows  of  houses.  Tiber 
Creek  is  no  more,  and  Rock  Creek,  which  rushed  and 
brawled  and  overflowed  its  banks  in  a  freshet,  is  a  dull 
little  meandering  stream.  Where  the  Lees  and  Custises 
held  sway  and  entertained  in  a  princely  manner  there  is 
a  grave,  decorous  silence  and  a  City  of  Heroes,  who,  hav 
ing  done  their  duty  for  liberty  and  country,  sleep  well 
under  the  green  turf.  Georgetown  has  enlarged  her  bor 
ders,  and  is  beautiful.  Mount  Vernon,  with  its  two  hun 
dred  years  of  history,  is  the  nation's  heritage.  Old  Wash 
ington  is  almost  forgotten,  with  here  and  there  a  relic 
and  a  few  old  maps  one  can  pore  over  in  the  grand  Con 
gressional  Library.  And  now  it  is  indeed  the  City  of 
the  Nation,  with  its  many  treasures,  even  if  they  are  mod 
ern,  its  handsome  legations,  its  beautiful  circles  to  com 
memorate  the  heroes  of  later  times.  And  Dolly  Madison 
lived  to  see  many  of  the  improvements,  and  to  be  the  his 
toric  link  between  the  old  and  the  new. 

As  for  Annis  Mason,  she  found  it  undeniably  dull  when 
Eustace  Stafford  had  gone.  Even  knowledge  seemed  to 
lose  its  charm,  and  the  babies  grew  commonplace.  But, 
then,  in  the  spring  Miss  Polly  and  her  lover  were  married 
and  set  up  a  cozy  little  home  of  their  own,  and  really 
wanted  Annis  in  it. 

Then  Varina  came  home — a  tall,  slim  girl,  quite  viva 
cious  and  ever  so  much  better  tempered  than  in  her 
youth;  and  really  rather  patronized  Annis,  who  was  not 

299 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

a  year  younger,  but  quite  a  little  girl,  not  come  to  trains 
nor  a  great  pile  of  hair  on  the  top  of  her  head,  and  a 
cascade  of  puffs  in  front,  and  a  comb  so  big  it  had  to  be 
carried  in  a  bag  when  you  went  out  of  an  evening. 

Then  she  had  a  lover,  too — a  fine  young  South  Caro 
linian,  who  had  an  immense  plantation  and  no  end  of 
slaves,  and  was  going  into  the  new  industry  of  raising 
cotton. 

There  was  a  very  general  demur.  Varina  was  so 
young,  if  she  was  tall.  But,  then,  Southern  girls  grew  up 
soon,  and  many  of  them  were  wives  at  fifteen. 

"  There  must  be  a  year's  engagement,"  her  father  said. 
Varina  must  learn  how  to  manage  a  household;  and 
girls  had  a  good  deal  of  instruction  in  housewifely  arts  in 
those  days,  even  if  there  was  a  regiment  of  slaves  to  do 
everything. 

"  I'll  coax  off  six  months,"  Varina  declared  to  her 
lover,  and  he  went  away  with  that  comfort. 

She  was  surprised  and  amused  at  Annis'  book-learning, 
and  teased  her  considerably.  Did  she  mean  to  be  a 
schoolmistress  ? 

Charles  returned  in  capital  health  and  spirits  and  full 
of  ambitious  plans.  He  had  not  quite  decided  what  he 
would  be,  either  a  chief  justice  or  a  minister  abroad.  He 
was  not  sure  now  that  he  wanted  to  be  President. 

"  For  people  do  say  such  dreadful  things  about  you. 
And  you  don't  seem  to  suit  anyone.  I  don't  wonder  Mr. 
Madison  looks  old  and  thin  and  careworn." 

"  Do  you  remember,"  said  Varina  laughingly,  "  that 
I  used  to  oppose  a  marriage  between  you  and  Annis?  I 
wasn't  going  to  let  her  have  everything.  I  used  to  con 
sider  that  you  belonged  to  me." 

"  You  had  a  great  way  of  appropriating  everybody." 

"  What  a  ridiculous  thing  I  was !  And  now  I  have 
made  up  my  mind  that  you  are  just  suited  to  each  other. 

300 


ANNIS. 

You  can  still  sit  on  the  window  ledge  and  pore  over  the 
same  book." 

"  Annis  is  well  enough,  but  I  am  sure  she  wouldn't 
find  Latin  and  Greek  interesting.  And  by  the  time 
I  want  to  marry,  Annis  will  be — well,  quite  an  old 
woman." 

"  If  you  don't  marry  until  you  are  forty-nine  she  will 
have  turned  the  half-century.  That  would  be  rather  old. 
I  shall  be  a  grandmother  before  that  time." 

"  All  you  girls  think  about  is  getting  married,"  returned 
the  youth  disdainfully. 

"  We  think  to  some  purpose,  too,  don't  we?  I  wouldn't 
be  an  old  maid  for  a  fortune !  " 

Annis  was  not  sure  she  liked  the  defection  on  Charles' 
part.  He  assumed  a  rather  lofty  air.  Louis  said  he  was 
still  a  prig,  that  all  the  nonsense  had  not  been  knocked 
out  of  him.  But  he  was  a  very  nice  boy,  for  all  that — 
gentlemanly,  refined,  and  extravagantly  fond  of  his  step 
mother.  There  were  times  when  Annis  felt  inclined  to 
jealousy. 

He  was  going  to  enter  college  at  Williamsburg. 

"  It  ought  to  make  me  proud  of  my  own  State,  as  well 
as  the  whole  country,"  he  explained  impressively  to  An 
nis.  "  And  then  I  shall  go  to  Oxford  maybe,  or  some  of 
the  old  English  places  that  have  the  years  of  antiquity 
back  of  them,  and  stand  for  all  that  is  highest  in  knowl 
edge,  that  have  romance  and  story  and  grandeur  woven 
into  their  very  stones.  Cloistered  shades!  Think  how 
beautiful  they  must  be.  And  all  the  riches  of  Europe  at 
one's  command ! " 

"  If  you  like  that  kind  of  riches,"  disdainfully.  "  Wars 
and  bloodshed,  rapine  and  cruelty,  grasping  and  per 
secution "  Annis  paused,  out  of  breath  from  indig 
nation. 

"  That's  like  a  girl !    You  can't  distinguish  between 
301 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

physical  and  intellectual  progress.  All  nations  have  be 
gun  on  the  low  round.  It  is  the  capability  of  ascending 
in  the  scale  that  gives  them  the  real  grandeur." 

"  I  think  they  have  not  ascended  very  much  in  the 
scale,"  returned  Annis  rather  haughtily,  the  blackened 
ruins  of  the  beloved  Washington  and  the  day  and  night 
of  terror  before  her  eyes. 

"  You  are  not  capable  of  judging.  It  is  what  nations 
have  done  in  the  aggregate.  A  thousand  years  have  wit 
nessed  marvels." 

"  Still,  we  haven't  gone  back  to  '  Solomon  in  all  his 
glory.'  And  Job,  you  know,  had  the  names  of  the  stars, 
and  understood  almost  everything." 

She  had  been  reading  the  book  of  Job  aloud  to  her  step 
father,  who  was  always  interested  in  the  historical  parts 
of  the  Bible. 

"  No  one  has  really  settled  as  to  who  Job  was,"  said  the 
youth  with  calm  superiority. 

"  Well,  the  knowledge  is  all  there,"  returned  Annis. 
"  Some  day,  thousands  of  years  hence,  someone  may  ex 
press  doubts  about  Columbus  and  John  Smith  and  Wash 
ington,  but  the  country  will  be  here." 

Girls  were  not  made  for  argument,  and  if  you  went 
on  forever  they  would  have  the  last  word,  no  matter  how 
inane  it  might  be.  Charles  thought  Annis  much  changed 
for  the  worse,  just  like  other  girls,  because  she  no  longer 
hung  on  his  words  and  paid  him  a  loving  deference.  Her 
worship  had  been  something  new  to  the  boy,  for  Varina 
claimed  by  force,  and  was  the  superior  power  herself. 
The  others  simply  petted  him.  Annis  understood  and 
appreciated.  But  he  had  outgrown  the  boyish  fervor,  and 
she  no  longer  paid  homage  to  him. 

He  was  too  young  to  know  that  it  was  simply  lack  of 
admiration,  and  vanity  crying  out  with  the  wound. 

Annis  had  quaffed  the  sweets  of  admiration  herself. 
303 


ANNIS. 

A  nature  less  fine  an'd  wholesome  would  have  been  spoiled 
by  the  warm  and  fond  approval  of  her  brothers-in-law, 
and  the  preference  of  others  she  had  met.  She  was 
coming  to  have  the  dawning  self-appropriation  of  woman 
hood,  and  no  longer  offered  her  choicest  gifts,  but  felt  they 
must  be  sought  with  a  certain  humility.  And  there  was 
no  humility  at  all  about  Charles  at  that  period.  They 
were  both  too  near  parallel  lines. 

Yet  it  was  a  busy,  happy,  engrossing  time.  Varina 
took  possession  of  Louis,  who  was  developing  much  of 
his  father's  easy-going  nature,  but  with  the  ambitions  of 
the  new  generation  and  the  times;  then,  his  associations 
had  been  cast  on  different  lines.  It  was  whispered,  too, 
that  a  friend  of  Patty's  with  whom  Annis  was  a  great 
favorite  had  cast  a  glamour  over  the  young  lawyer. 

Annis  solaced  herself  with  the  thought  that  Varina 
would  marry  and  go  away,  but  all  the  others  would  be 
left,  and  her  dearly  beloved  Washington.  Roger  said 
she  would  do  for  an  archaeologist,  she  was  so  fond  of 
exploring  ruins.  She  insisted  that  Marian  and  Captain 
Ralston  should  make  pilgrimages  to  the  little  old  hut 
where  he  had  so  nearly  died,  and  they  found  many  marks 
of  the  battle,  that  if  it  had  been  an  ignominous  rout,  still 
had  in  it  the  better  part  of  valor,  when  the  enemy  were 
overwhelming.  Baltimore  was  glorying  in  her  splendid 
defense  of  Fort  McHenry,  and  a  girl  who  could  not  sing 
"  The  Star-spangled  Banner "  was  considered  half  a 
Tory. 

Though  Annis  was  so  young,  hardly  fifteen,  she  and 
Varina  had  so  many  invitations  to  Washington  that  Mr. 
Mason  suggested  they  should  engage  board  by  the  month. 
Varina  was  making  the  best  of  her  time,  for  she  had 
"  coaxed  off  "  six  months  of  the  engagement,  and  her 
lover  was  to  come  soon  after  Christmas.  In  the  spring 
Louis  was  to  set  up  a  home  of  his  own. 

303 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Varina's  marriage  was  in  the  old  home,  which  was 
crowded  with  relatives  and  guests.  Her  mother's  wed 
ding  gown  did  duty  again,  and  then  it  went  to  Jaqueline 
as  an  heirloom.  Mr.  Woodford  was  tall  and  really  fine- 
looking,  with  a  good  deal  of  character  in  his  face,  and  of 
good  family,  ten  years  older  than  Varina,  which  brought 
him  to  the  prime  of  young  manhood. 

"  Really ! "  exclaimed  Patty,  "  I  do  not  see  what  re 
markable  grace  or  virtue  in  Varina  captured  so  substan 
tial  and  devoted  a  lover — though  she  has  improved  in 
temper,  and  is  better-looking;  but  she  will  never  have 
the  Verney  beauty — hardly  the  Mason.  Well,  one  can't 
explain  half  the  queer  happenings  in  this  world." 

Besides  the  cotton,  Mr.  Woodford  had  extensive  rice 
fields.  Long  ago  rice  had  been  brought  from  Madagascar. 
In  both  the  Carolinas  many  industries  had  been  estab 
lished.  Seventy  years  before,  General  Oglethorpe  had 
carried  to  England  from  Georgia  eight  pounds  of  silk 
to  be  made  into  a  dress  for  the  queen.  It  was  no  wonder 
England  hated  to  lose  her  promising  colonies. 

Varina's  marriage  was  extremely  satisfactory.  Patri 
cia's  had  been  just  a  little  shadowed  by  Jaqueline's  broken 
engagement,  and  the  half-superstitious  feeling  that  it 
brought  the  best  luck  to  the  house  for  the  eldest  girl  to 
be  married  first.  But  Miss  Jaqueline  had  her  own  true 
lover  after  all,  and  was  happy  as  a  queen. 

So  Varina  took  her  portion  and  the  family  blessing, 
even  that  of  Aunt  Catharine,  who  was  growing  stout  and 
felt  that  she  had  the  burden  of  half  the  world  on  her 
shoulders,  and  William  and  Mary  College  thrown 
in.  She  didn't  see  how  anything  could  go  on  without 
her. 

Perhaps  to  feel  of  use  is  one  of  the  great  incentives  to 
earnest  living. 

"  And  you  are  to  come  and  make  me  a  long  visit,  An- 
304 


ANNIS. 

nis,"  Varina  said  cordially.  "  I  shall  be  sorry  for  you, 
left  all  alone  here ;  and  I'll  write  and  tell  you  everything. 
And  there's  Dolly,  too,  who  has  the  gayest  of  gay  times ! 
They  are  quite  certain  to  nominate  Cousin  Preston  for 
representative  next  year.  You  see  we  are  getting  to  be 
rather  famous  people." 

It  was  very  lonely  when  they  all  went  away.  And  now 
Annis  had  her  mother  all  to  herself.  No,  not  all — that 
could  never  be  again.  For  now  that  there  were  no  chil 
dren  whose  future  must  be  considered,  and  Charles  had 
planned  out  his  own,  Randolph  Mason,  who  had  always 
been  easy-going,  dropped  into  the  softened  and  indolent 
ways  of  prosperous  elderly  life,  and  became  his  wife's 
shadow. 

True,  his  heart  was  large  enough  to  take  in  Annis  at 
every  step.  But  he  had  grown  stout,  and  was  not  such 
an  enthusiastic  horseman,  though  the  yearly  races  in 
spired  all  Virginians  to  keep  some  fine  horses.  He  liked 
the  carriage  better,  with  his  wife  beside  him;  and  then 
Annis  was  alone  on  the  back  seat.  Of  course  he  had  the 
best  right,  Annis  recognized  that. 

She  sewed  and  did  drawn  work  and  made  lace,  worked 
embroidery  in  gold  and  silver  thread,  and  helped  with 
her  "  fitting  out." 

"  But  if  I  should  never  marry  ? "  she  said  to  her 
mother. 

"  Girls  do,  mostly,"  was  the  mother's  quiet  reply. 
"  And  your  father  insists  you  shall  have  as  much  as  the 
other  girls." 

So  there  was  spinning,  and  weaving  in  the  loom  room, 
and  bleaching  to  be  considered  in  the  spring,  as  May  dew 
was  esteemed  a  wonderful  whitener  of  linens  and  cot 
tons,  though  they  were  mostly  woven  in  the  Eastern 
towns.  Now  and  then  came  gossipy  notes  from  Varina. 
Charles  wrote  dutiful  letters  to  his  mother,  and  sent  love 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

to  Annis.    But  the  Washington  households  were  begging 
for  Annis  continually. 

"  Yes,  I  would  go,"  said  her  mother.  "  It  is  dull  for 
one  girl  alone  here  on  the  plantation." 

"Mamma — don't  you  want  me?"  There  was  a  lus- 
trousness  like  tears  in  her  eyes. 

"  My  dear !  "  Her  mother  kissed  her  fondly.  "  Of 
course  I  want  you.  But  I  have  so  many  cares  and  oc 
cupations,  and  father  takes  a  good  deal  of  my  time,  and 
you  have  so  few  amusements.  It  is  the  difference,  dear, 
between  young  people  and  old  people.  I  want  your  young 
life  to  be  pleasant." 

"  I  wish  we  lived  in  Washington.  Why  can't  papa 
build  on  Virginia  Avenue,  and  have  a  nice  garden,  and 

keep  horses,  and "     What  else  was  there  for  him  to 

do? 

"  He  has  become  settled  in  this  life.  He  was  born  and 
reared  here,  and  has  his  friends  and  neighbors  about  him. 
It  would  make  him  unhappy  to  go  away.  The  slaves  are 
all  fond  of  him,  and  it  is  his  pride  to  be  a  good  master. 
No ;  he  couldn't  leave  everything.  It  is  the  young  people 
who  go  out  and  settle  in  new  homes.  And  that  is  the  way 
the  Lord  has  ordered  it.  '  For  this  cause  ' — that  is,  love — 
'  shall  a  man  leave  father  and  mother,  and  cleave  unto  his 
wife.'  And  the  wife  does  the  same  thing." 

"  Mamma,"  with  a  faint  tint  of  color,  "  I  do  not  think 
I  shall  ever  be  married." 

Her  mother  gave  a  soft  little  smile. 

"  You  know  Varina  was  always  planning,  and  Patty 
used  to  say  '  When  I  am  married,'  but  I  feel  curious,  and 
— alone.  Perhaps  I  shall  stay  with  you  and  father  al 
ways,"  and  she  gave  a  tender  little  sigh.  "  Would  you 
want  an  old  maid  ?  " 

"  Perhaps  I  shall  need  you  to  take  care  of  me,  as 
grandma  did  Marian." 

306 


ANNIS. 

"  But  I  don't  want  you  to  die."  She  clasped  her  arms 
about  her  mother's  neck  convulsively. 

"  Dear,  that  would  give  us  thirty-odd  years.  And 
grandmother  was  not  a  very  old  woman.  A  great  many 
things  may  happen  in  that  time.  I  think  you  are  a  little 
out  of  spirits  and  lonesome.  You  had  better  go  up  to 
Jaqueline's  to-morrow.  Cato  and  Jim  are  going  up  with 
a  load.  Cato  can  escort  you,  and  they  can  take  a  port 
manteau  in  the  wagon.  Captain  Ralston  complains  that 
you  have  quite  deserted  him." 

"  And  desert  you !  "  half  reproachfully. 

"  I  shall  have  papa.  Yes,  little  girlie,  you  must  go 
and  have  a  nice  time.  I  shall  think  of  all  the  pleasure 
you  are  enjoying.  And  we  may  come  up  for  a  few 
days." 

"  Oh,  mamma — if  you  will !  It  would  be  strange  to 
love  anyone  better  than  one's  own  mother." 

But  such  things  had  been  heard  of  in  the  history  of 
womankind. 

Annis  went  up  to  her  beloved  Washington.  Three 
homes  opened  their  hospitable  doors,  and  Louis  took  her 
to  see  his  new  house,  just  above  the  ruined  pile  that  was 
full  of  storied  incident  already. 

"  They  are  sure  to  rebuild  it,"  he  said.  "  There  is  a 
grant  being  considered.  We  have  had  to  fight  against 
considerable  odds,  but  we  shall  keep  our  own  Washington. 
Forty  or  fifty  years  from  this  I  shall  be  telling  my  grand 
children  how  men  flew  to  arms  in  her  defense,  whether 
they  were  soldiers  or  not.  And  though  the  treaty  has 
omitted  some  things,  we  shall  take  them  and  keep  them. 
France  is  our  good  ally  again.  And  John  Quincy  Adams 
has  gone  to  St.  Petersburg  to  make  friends  of  the  Rus 
sians." 

"  Oh,  that's  the  man  Charles  talks  about,  who  went 
abroad  with  his  father  when  he  was  such  a  little  lad,  and 

307 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

had  such  a  hard  time,  and  studied  and  studied,  and  went 
to  Holland  and  everywhere." 

"  And  is  a  fine  diplomat.  For  a  young  country  we 
have  raised  a  magnificent  crop  of  men !  I  hope  to  be  chief 
justice  myself  some  day." 

"And  not  President?" 

"  I'll  leave  that  for  Charles.  A  chief  justice  is  ap 
pointed  for  life,  and  stands  on  his  good  behavior.  Do 
you  think  they  will  be  likely  to  discharge  me,  Annis  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  know  they  won't !  "  laughingly. 

The  house  was  being  built  only  to  half  of  the  plan. 
The  rest  of  the  ground  was  to  remain  a  garden  until  Louis 
had  increased  in  wealth.  But  it  was  very  nice,  with  spa 
cious  rooms.  Miss  Marcia  Ellicot  was  something  of  an 
heiress. 

Annis  found  a  difficulty  in  dividing  herself  around. 

"  There  ought  to  be  two  or  three  of  me,"  she  said. 

"  And  you  are  not  to  give  me  the  cold  shoulder,"  de 
clared  Mrs.  Jettson.  "  I  do  believe  I  was  the  first  one 
to  take  a  real  fancy  to  you;  and  do  you  remember  how 
Rene  quarreled  with  you  about  the  babies?  Arthur  and 
Floyd  are  such  big  boys  now." 

A  new  boy  had  been  added  to  the  household.  Babies 
were  warmly  welcomed  in  those  days. 

She  liked  Marian's  quiet  home.  Captain  Ralston  was 
very  fond  of  her.  He  had  discarded  his  crutches,  but  still 
used  a  cane. 

"  And  what  do  you  think,  Annis  ?  "  he  said,  his  eyes 
alight  with  amusement.  "  I've  had  a  letter  from  some 
one — just  guess !  " 

"  You  know  so  many  people,"  returned  Annis  with  a 
curious  heat  in  her  cheeks. 

"  Someone  you  know,  too.  Your  old  enemy.  My  good 
nurse  and  friend." 

"Oh,  that — young  Englishman  who  came  over  here 

308 


ANNIS. . 

to  fight  us,"  she  answered  with  an  indifferent  air,  though 
she  had  been  certain  in  her  mind  when  he  first  told  her  to 
guess. 

"  Yes ;  Stafford.  He  is  coming  over  here  to  settle.  He 
was  converted  at  the  Battle  of  Bladensburg,  and  is  a  rant 
ing,  tearing,  out-and-out  American.  Why,  you  never 
knew  a  more  ardent  patriot !  He  is  going  to  take  the  oath 
of  allegiance  at  once,  and  find  something  to  do,  and  do  it 
bravely,  earnestly.  That  is  the  kind  of  citizens  we  want. 
I  think  he  has  had  something  of  a  time  to  convince  his 
people,  but  his  father  has  given  him  a  small  sum  of  money 
to  start  him  in  life — nothing  to  what  it  would  cost  his 
father  if  he  stayed  at  home,  he  says.  Strange  how  these 
men  keep  their  sons  at  home,  thinking  trade  disgraceful, 
when  England  would  swoop  up  all  the  commerce  of  the 
earth,  forgetting  what  manner  of  men  make  commerce 
possible." 

Annis  was  silent,  yet  there  was  a  little  heart-beat  of  ex 
ultation.  Why  she  could  not  have  told. 

"  Well — will  you  bid  him  welcome  and  Godspeed  ?  " 

"  Why,  it  is  nothing  to  me,"  with  a  pretty  air  of  indif 
ference. 

She  did  not  see  the  dainty  flush  on  Marian's  cheek,  that 
came  in  moments  of  embarrassment,  as  if  she  were  still 
sixteen. 

"  But,  then,  you  have  your  country's  good  at  heart  ?  " 

"  I  wish  the  country  well,"  and  she  made  a  pretentious 
courtesy,  drawing  up  her  brows. 

Marian  had  read  all  the  letter.  It  was  proud  and 
manly,  but  a  pretty  girl  had  inspired  a  part  of  the  re 
solve. 

"  I  shall  take  him  in  hand.  He  is  ready  for  work — if 
he  has  a  long  line  of  ancestors  with  titles." 

"  Yes."  Annis  gave  a  provoking  laugh.  *  You  know 
he  does  not  like  fighting." 

309 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

There  was  pleasure  enough  to  make  her  forget  all  about 
him,  but  now  and  then  she  caught  herself  wondering. 

Jaqueline  was  quite  restored  to  health  and  beauty,  and 
was  a  favorite  with  society.  Roger  was  certainly  a  ris 
ing  man.  The  undercurrent  of  political  feeling  was  that 
Mr.  Monroe  would  succeed  his  chief,  who  would  be  quite 
as  glad  to  resign  his  honors  and  the  flood  of  criticisms  as 
Mr.  Jefferson  had  been.  And  though  the  conduct  of  the 
war  was  caviled  at,  it  was  admitted  on  all  sides  that  it 
had  raised  the  country  in  the  rank  of  nations. 

So  Annis  flitted  back  and  forth  like  a  dainty  bird,  that 
did  not  forget  the  home  nest.  She  did  her  hair  high  on 
her  head  and  had  a  fringe  of  fascinating  little  curls ;  she 
wore  French  heels  to  her  slippers,  and  a  train  on  grand  oc 
casions.  She  was  not  handsome,  as  the  elder  Mason  girls 
had  been,  not  tall  or  stately,  but  sweet  and  pretty,  with 
just  enough  of  the  coquette  to  make  her  arch  and  win 
some. 

One  night  at  an  assembly,  where  naval  men  were  out 
in  force,  someone  caught  her  hand  in  the  change  of  part 
ners.  A  young  officer,  a  first  lieutenant,  she  saw  by  his 
insignia  of  rank. 

"  Oh !  "  he  cried,  "  you  have  forgotten  me,  but  I  remem 
ber  you.  I  saw  you  across  the  room,  but  I  was  engaged 
for  this  dance.  I  was  coming  immediately  after.  It  was 
at  the  naval  ball  when  Ensign  Hamilton  came  in  with  the 
flag.  What  a  night  it  was!  And  I  was  Midshipman 
Yardley,  going  out  on  my  first  cruise.  There — the  next 
figure  is  waiting." 

He  handed  her  gallantly  to  her  new  partner. 

She  went  back  to  Jaqueline.  "  Oh,  Roger !  "  she  cried, 
"  do  you  remember  the  young  midshipman  at  the  naval 
ball  when  there  was  such  an  excitement?  He  is  here 
to-night.  I  have  just  been  dancing  with  him.  There  he 
is,  coming  hither." 

310 


ANNIS. 

The  smiling  young  fellow  was  glad  to  see  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Carrington.  Annis  excused  herself  from  her  next 
partner,  she  was  so  eager  to  hear  him  talk.  Perhaps  he 
would  not  have  lent  dignity  to  the  position  of  an  admiral, 
for  he  was  not  tall  nor  imposing,  but  bright  and  eager 
and  full  of  spirit  and  ambition.  "  After  all,  it  has  been 
a  glorious  war,"  he  declared.  He  had  been  in  a  number 
of  victories,  and  quite  distinguished  himself,  they  heard 
afterward;  and  one  sad  defeat,  when  he  had  been  taken 
prisoner  with  some  other  men  and  made  a  daring  escape, 
landing  on  the  coast  of  France,  and  worked  and  begged 
his  way  home.  Now  he  was  stationed  at  Annapolis  for 
some  time. 

Annis  had  to  go  and  dance  in  the  middle  of  the  story, 
and  then  he  begged  the  honor.  Was  she  staying  with  her 
sister  ?  He  should  be  in  town  a  few  days.  Could  he  not 
call  on  her? 

Jaqueline  gave  him  the  invitation. 

Captain  Ralston  was  eager  to  see  him,  as  well.  There 
were  so  many  things  to  talk  over.  Such  wonderful  vic 
tories,  some  such  sad  defeats,  many  brave  men  who  had 
given  their  lives  and  left  imperishable  names  behind  them. 
How  proud  the  young  fellow  was  of  his  country! 

And  they  had  to  tell  the  story  of  Washington  with  the 
verve  that  people  do  who  have  lived  through  an  event. 

They  looked  at  the  ruins,  they  rode  up  the  Potomac, 
they  went  again  to  Bladensburg.  Everything  was  so 
near,  so  vivid. 

Lieutenant  Yardley  decided  that  Annis  was  the  most 
charming  young  girl  he  had  ever  met. 

"  I  am  a  little  afraid  of  most  women,"  he  admitted. 
"  You  can't  always  tell  just  what  to  say,  and  sometimes 
when  they  praise  you  you  feel  silly  all  over.  And  some 
women  never  rouse  to  patriotism.  But  we  find  so  much 
to  say  to  each  other.  Oh,  I  wish  I  were  going  to  stay  in 

311 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

Washington  a  month!  Won't  you  make  some  of  your 
relatives  bring  you  over  to  Annapolis  ?  You  have  such  a 
splendid  lot.  Only,  do  you  know,  I  like  your  own  name, 
Annis  Bouvier,  better  than  I  do  Annis  Mason.  It  just 
suits  you." 

She  blushed  a  little.  What  a  pretty  way  he  had  of  say 
ing  Annis! 

But  alas!  the  delight  came  to  an  end,  and  for  sev 
eral  days  Annis  thought  Washington  as  dull  as  the  plan 
tation. 

"  I  am  afraid  my  poor  fellow  won't  stand  any  chance," 
said  Ralston,  with  a  slow  shake  of  the  head.  "  The  lieu 
tenant  is  delightful,  certainly  quite  dangerous  enough  to 
turn  any  girl's  brain." 

The  "  poor  fellow  "  reached  Washington  one  morn 
ing,  having  landed  at  New  York,  and  spent  half  a  lifetime 
on  the  post-roads,  he  declared.  They  were  all  a  little 
startled.  It  seemed  as  if  he  must  have  grown,  he  was  so 
tall  and  manly  and  fine-looking,  and  so  overjoyed  to  see 
them  again,  so  happy  at  the  thought  of  being  an  American 
citizen. 

"  It  is  as  I  said  when  I  was  here  before — the  people  do 
not  understand  each  other.  When  they  come  to  a  time 
that  they  can  work  side  by  side  in  anything,  you  will  see 
something  grand  accomplished.  There  is  a  fine,  free  air 
over  here  that  inspirits  one.  You  can  begin  without  be 
ing  hampered  by  a  thousand  petty  restrictions.  And  I 
am  going  to  prove  myself  a  man." 

Dr.  Collaston  and  Patty  gave  him  the  warmest  wel 
come,  quite  as  cordial  as  that  of  Ralston.  But  it  was 
queer  that  when  he  went  there  Annis  had  gone  to  Jaque- 
line's;  and  finally  Ralston  asked  her  boldly  to  come  to 
tea  and  give  Eustace  Stafford  a  word  of  welcome. 

"  There  isn't  anything  left  for  me  to  say,"  and  the  rosy 
lips  pouted  as  if  offended.  "  You  have  all  been  so — so 

312 


ANNIS. 

extravagant — or  is  it  exuberant? — in  your  demonstra 
tions,  that  I  shall  seem  tame.  And  why  should  I  be  so 
desperately  glad?  He  would  have  killed  you,  Philip, 
or  anyone  else,  if  he  hadn't  been  wounded  at  once.  I'd 
like  you  to  go  and  thank  the  soldier  who  did  it." 

"  You  are  a  briery  little  body  where  he  is  concerned, 
Annis.  Why,  peace  would  never  have  been  signed  if  both 
parties  had  held  out  as  you  do !  I  think  it  fine  in  him  to 
come  out  so  frankly  and  own  he  was  on  the  wrong  side. 
Even  if  you  have  no  Indian  blood  in  your  veins,  you  might 
come  and  smoke  a  figurative  pipe  of  peace — that  is,  drink 
a  cup  of  tea  and  wish  him  well." 

"  You  know  I  don't  like  tea.  I  should  think  they 
would  have  wanted  to  throw  it  overboard.  Another  of 
England's  tyrannies !  " 

"  I  thought  you  had  a  tender  place  in  your  heart  for 
Marian  and  me." 

"  Oh,  I  can  come ! "  she  said  pettishly.  "  I  am  not 
afraid  of  your  Englishman." 

"  I  began  to  think  you  were,"  teasingly. 

And  so  she  came.  But  when  she  greeted  Mr.  Stafford, 
who  had  nothing  of  the  boy  left  about  him,  but  who  met 
her  eyes  steadily  until  hers  fell,  and  whose  voice  had  lost 
the  old  deprecating,  beseeching  tone,  a  sudden  half-terror 
took  possession  of  her,  an  indefinable  fear  that  made  her 
angry  and  yet  disarmed  her.  Oh,  she  was  sure  she  liked 
Lieutenant  Yardley  a  hundred  times  better! 

Afterward  she  said  she  was  tired  of  all  the  gayeties, 
and  wanted  to  go  home.  The  plantation  was  at  its  love 
liest,  and  there  would  be  such  rides  with  papa,  and  she 
was  sure  her  mother  was  longing  to  see  her. 

But  when  bees  once  get  a  taste  for  the  sweetest  honey 
flowers,  they  haunt  the  spot.  And  Annis  Bouvier  was 
no  longer  a  little  girl.  She  felt  the  strange  solemn  capa 
bilities  within  her.  Sometimes  she  clung  to  her  mother, 

313 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

as  if  not  daring  to  meet  them.  The  mother  knew  what  it 
meant,  and  gave  her  the  wordless  comfort  mothers  can 
give,  in  a  kiss  or  a  clasp  of  the  hand,  as  one  crosses  the 
bridge  to  womanhood. 

Neighboring  young  men  began  to  haunt  the  house. 
The  Mason  girls  had  always  been  favorites.  And  then 
down  came  the  young  Englishman,  who  resolved  not  to 
lose  the  prize  if  earnest  wooing  could  avail.  They  were 
both  so  young.  True,  he  had  his  fortune  to  make,  but 
some  of  the  noblest  Virginian  families  had  sprung  from 
penniless  young  sons  who  had  come  to  the  new  coun 
tries  and  won  not  only  wealth,  but  fame.  Captain  Ral 
ston  had  found  a  place  for  him,  and  he  should  live  in  fair 
sight  of  everybody.  If  he  did  not  make  the  sort  of  man 
they  could  approve,  he  should  never  blame  them  for  re 
fusing  him  their  treasure.  All  he  asked  for  was  time  and 
a  fair  field. 

"  He  has  the  making  of  a  man  in  him,"  the  father  con 
ceded  to  himself,  but  aloud  he  said — a  little  weakly: 
"  Annis  is  too  young  to  decide.  In  the  end  it  will  be  as 
she  desires." 

"  And  I  can  come  now  and  then  as  a  friend  ?  " 

"  It  may  make  trouble  for  Annis  later  on,  but  I  could 
not  refuse,"  he  said  to  his  wife  afterward. 

Annis  came  and  sat  on  his  knee  in  the  soft  Virginian 
twilight,  dusky  sooner  than  that  farther  north.  The 
whip-poor-wills  called  to  each  other,  the  mocking  bird 
flung  out  a  note  now  and  then  as  if  he  said  saucily,  "  Did 
you  think  I  was  asleep  ?  "  and  the  frogs  in  the  marsh  were 
far  enough  off  to  send  a  strain  of  quivering  music.  She 
put  her  arms  about  his  neck,  and  her  soft  warm  cheek 
touched  his. 

"  Were  you  very  cross  and  stern,  papa  ?  "  in  the  most 
coaxing  of  tones. 

"  No,  dear.     He  is  a  fine  fellow." 
314 


ANNIS. 

"  But  he  came  to  fight  against  us." 

"  Yes.     It  was  a  great  crime." 

"  He  was  sent,  and  he  didn't  know  any  better.  Some 
day  we  shall  know  a  good  deal  more  about  each  other." 

"  Annis,  do  you  love  him  ?  Child,  don't  make  a  mis 
take  !  And  don't  trifle  with  him." 

"  No,  I  don't  love  him.  We  quarreled  dreadfully  at 
first.  I  can't  help  liking  and  admiring  him.  He  is  so 
strong  and  earnest.  There  are  a  good  many  grand  men 
in  the  world,  are  there  not?  And  some  of  them  have 
been  poor  and  have  had  hard  times.  I  didn't  want  him 
to  think  it  was  because  he  was  poor." 

"  No,  dear,"  as  she  waited  for  some  reply. 

"  And  you  know  I  can't  help  meeting  him  at  Marian's, 
and  Patty  likes  him  so  much,  too.  It  would  be  very  dis 
agreeable  to  be  bad  friends  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  assented  the  elder. 

"  So  we  are  going  to  be  just  friends  until — well,  until  I 
am  twenty,  perhaps." 

"  Yes — if  you  will  wait  until  then." 

Annis  kissed  him. 

But  that  was  not  the  end  of  love  affairs.  Lieutenant 
Yardley  insisted  upon  telling  his  story.  He  had  carried 
about  with  him  a  child's  sweet  face,  and  resolved  that  if 
he  should  survive  the  deadly  strife  he  would  come  home 
and  find  her.  He  thought  his  claim  far  the  best.  Had 
he  not  fought  for  the  country,  her  country  ? 

She  liked  him  too.  It  was  hard  to  decide.  And  then 
the  lieutenant,  being  rather  fiery,  went  at  his  rival  in  a 
fierce  manner.  Dueling  was  still  in  vogue. 

Annis  was  alarmed.  She  sent  for  the  big  Englishman. 
It  was  curious,  but  she  knew  she  could  make  him  obey 
her  slightest  behest,  big  and  strong  as  he  was. 

"  You  are  not  to  quarrel  about  me,"  she  began  with 
wonderful  dignity.  "  I  do  not  think  I  shall  marry  either 

315 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

of  you,  or  anybody.  But  if  there  was  a  dispute,  and  you 
did  anything  reprehensible,  I  should  never,  never  see  you 
or  speak  to  you  again.  Lieutenant  Yardley  is  one  of  the 
country's  heroes,  and  you "  How  should  she  put  it? 

"  I  am  here  on  sufferance,  until  I  earn  the  right.  Yes, 
I  understand." 

She  flushed  scarlet. 

"  You  are  bound  over  to  keep  the  peace." 

"  Here  is  my  hand  in  token  of  it.  I  shall  never  do  any 
thing  to  make  you  sorry  or  ashamed  of  me." 

"  Papa,"  she  said  in  a  plaintive  tone  a  day  or  two  after 
Stafford's  visit,  "  should  you  be  very  sorry  if  I — were  to— 
stay  single — always  ?  " 

"  Why,  no,  dear,"  and  he  smiled.  "  Don't  you  remem 
ber,  when  Louis  and  Charles  used  to  dispute  about  you,  I 
said  we  would  marry  off  the  others,  and  you  should  stay 
here  with  mother  and  me  ?  " 

"  I  must  be  very  naughty,  to  have  people  disputing 
about  me,"  and  she  sighed  in  a  delicious  sort  of  manner. 
"  But  I  have  quite  resolved  that  I  will  not  marry  any 
body." 

They  all  went  up  to  Washington  to  attend  the  wedding 
of  the  eldest  son.  There  was  only  one  lover  present,  and 
Annis  was  sincerely  glad. 

There  was  much  going  back  and  forth,  as  there  always 
is  when  families  branch  out  and  set  up  new  homes.  And 
presently  Charles  came  home,  quite  a  tall  boy,  but  still 
delicate-looking,  and  so  much  improved  that  Annis  in 
sensibly  went  back  to  her  old  regard  for  him.  He 
was  broader-minded,  and  took  a  livelier  interest  in 
everything. 

He  soon  found  that  Annis  was  a  great  favorite  with  all 
the  young  people.  She  wasn't  as  handsome  as  Jaqueline, 
nor  as  bright  and  overflowing  with  fun  as  Patty ;  indeed, 
he  could  not  decide  what  the  charm  was.  He  heard  about 

316 


ANNIS. 

the  two  real  lovers,  and  met  them  both.  Secretly  he  fav 
ored  Stafford  and  felt  sorry  for  the  lieutenant. 

One  day  they  were  lounging  in  the  old  nook  by  the 
creek.  He  was  telling  over  his  plans.  He  was  not  anx 
ious  now  to  be  President,  or  even  a  minister  abroad,  but 
he  was  eager  for  all  the  knowledge  he  could  grasp,  for 
all  the  discoveries  that  were  looming  up  on  the  horizon. 
Uncle  Conway  had  advised  him  to  enter  an  English  uni 
versity  after  the  coming  year. 

She  was  in  the  low  swing,  which  was  a  tangle  of  vines 
now,  and  he  was  curled  up  in  the  grass  at  her  feet,  as  they 
talked  over  the  past  and  the  future.  Then  there  was  a 
long,  sw/eet  silence,  such  as  comes  nowhere  but  in  country 
nooks. 

"  Annis,"  he  exclaimed  regretfully,  resignedly,  "  I  do 
not  suppose  you  ever  could  marry  me  ?  " 

She  started  in  surprise.  "  Oh,  Charles !  "  she  cried  in 
pain,  "  I  thought  that  foolishness  was  at  an  end." 

"  Has  it  been  foolishness  ?  Annis,  I  don't  believe  you 
could  understand  that  boyish  passion.  I  don't  under 
stand  it  myself.  You  fitted  into  my  life.  You  liked  my 
old  heroes.  You  never  laughed  or  teased  me  about  them. 
They  were  my  life  then.  That  was  the  country  I  always 
lived  in.  And  it  was  very  sweet  to  have  you.  How  jeal 
ous  I  was  of  Louis !  Some  of  the  great  intellectual  heroes 
have  had  just  such  a  love.  Last  summer  I  was  half 
ashamed  of  it;  I  was  growing  out  of  childhood.  And 
now  I  have  gone  back  to  it  again." 

"  Oh,  Charles,  I  am  so  sorry !  "  There  was  anguish  in 
her  tone.  "  You  see,  I  am  older,  and  you  will  have  four 

or  five  years  abroad,  and  grow  and  develop  as  men 
j  » 

"  Yes.  I  couldn't  ask  so  much  of  you.  And  maybe, 
then,  we  wouldn't  suit.  Don't  you  know  how  the  old 
slave  women  put  pieces  of  gowns  in  their  best  quilts  and 

317 


A  LITTLE  GIRL  IN  OLD  WASHINGTON. 

cherish  them  because  this  was  young  missy's,  and  this 
someone  else's?  And  I'd  like  to  be  the  piece  that  you'd 
go  back  to  in  memory,  and  think  how  sweet  the  old  times 
were,  even  when  you  have  a  husband,  proud  and  strong, 
and  that  you  loved  devotedly.  And  how  you  bade  me  hope 
through  all  that  trying  time,  and  gave  me  your  mother 
when  you  loved  her  so,  and  kept  my  little  secret,  for  we 
never  can  think  it  was  Varina's  fault." 

She  bent  over.  Their  arms  were  about  each  other's 
necks,  and  both  were  crying — tender,  loving  tears. 

The  ensuing  winter  in  Washington  was  one  long  talked 
about.  The  President  removed  to  a  place  forming  part 
of  the  notable  "Seven  Buildings,"  which  had  been  fitted 
up  for  its  greater  spaciousness.  It  was  the  last  winter  of 
Mrs.  Madison's  reign,  as  in  March  Colonel  Monroe  was 
to  be  inaugurated.  There  was  a  great  stir  and  intellec 
tual  activity,  a  broadening  of  political  life ;  and  as  we  look 
back  it  seems  as  if  there  were  giants  in  those  days. 
Thither  came  the  hero  of  the  Battle  of  New  Orleans,  Gen 
eral  Jackson,  with  his  wife,  and  many  another  worthy; 
even  curious  visitors  from  abroad,  who  acknowledged  the 
grace  of  Mrs.  Madison's  brilliant  hospitality. 

Thenceforward  it  was  to  be  a  new  Washington,  more 
truly  American  perhaps,  crystallizing  around  the  points 
that  gave  strength  and  dignity,  and  proving  false  many  an 
evil  prophecy. 

A  few,  very  few,  of  the  old  places  are  left.  But  the 
Capitol  is  the  nucleus  of  a  great  nation,  and  the  White 
House  reared  on  the  old  superstructure  holds  many  mem 
ories  the  country  will  always  cherish. 

I  suppose  I  hardly  need  tell  you  that  after  a  while  An- 
nis  broke  her  resolve  and  married  the  man  of  her  choice, 
living  a  long  and  happy  life  in  the  newer  Washington. 
That  when  her  sons  were  grown  there  was  nothing  they 
enjoyed  more  than  visiting  the  commander  at  Fortress 

318 


ANNIS. 

Monroe  and  listening  to  the  stirring  events  of  1812.  He 
thought  there  never  could  be  such  battles  and  victories 
again.  But  the  girls  were  most  fond  of  their  delightful 
bachelor  uncle  Charles,  whose  pen  was  making  a  name 
and  fame  in  the  intellectual  world. 


THE    END. 


3:9 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


DflSH    m  20*89 

ID/URL    ' 


Form  L9-25m-9,'47(A5618)444 


'. 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFOftMU 
LOS  ANGELES 


PS 

1549 
D745   Iw 


L  005  792  851   7 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


A  A      000035773   1 


